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1900 jj 

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I The Money Spinner 



1 I 



Ji AN ORIGINAL COMEDY IN TWO ACTS 

4t 

ARTHUR W. PINERO 

^ Author of'"'' Tivo Hiaidred a Yea>\^^ "■ La Cotnete,^^ " Two can Play 

i a/ that Game''' " Daisy's Escape,'" " Hester's Mystery^''' 

^ '" Bygone'' s.'''' 

I ..___.„ 

"*^ Copyright, iqoo, by T. H. French 

1^ Amateurs are not allowed to produce this play without pay- 

^ ment of the author's royalty. All enquiries concerning 

"f^ same should be addressed to the publishers. 

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VOL. I. 

1 Ion 

2 F;izio 

3 The Ladv of Lyons 

4 Richelieu 

5 The Wife 

6 The Hoiievmoon 

7 The School lor Scandal 

8 Mouev 

"VOL. IL 

9 The Stranger 

10 (Grandfather Whitehead 

11 Richard III 

12 Li.ve'i Sacrifice 

13 The Gamester 

14 A Cure for the Heartache 

15 The Hunchback 

16 Don C^sar de Baian 

VOL. IIL 

17 The Poor Gentleman 

18 Hamlet 

19 Charles II 

to Venice Preserved 

fl Pirarro 

83 The Lore Chase 

83 Othello 

fi4 Lend me Five Shillings 

VOL. IV, 
9i Virginius 

96 King of the Commons 
ft London Assurance 
M The Rent Daj- 
t9 Two Gentlemen ofVerona 

80 The Jealous Wife 

81 The Rivals 

82 Perfection 

VOL. V. [Debts 

83 A New Way to Pay Old 

84 Look Before" Vou Leap 

85 King John 

86 Nervouj Man 

87 Damon and Pvthias 

88 Clandestine ]\{arriage 

39 William Tell 

40 Day after the Wedding 

VOL. VI. 

41 Speed the Plough 

42 Romeo and Juliet 

43 Feudal Times 

44 Charlei the Twelfth 

45 The Bride 

46 The Follies of a Night 

47 Iron Chest [Fair Lady 

48 Faint Heart Never Won 

VOL. VII. 

49 Road to Ruin 
60 Macbeth 

El Temper 

62 Evadne 

13 Bertram 

MThe Duenna 

es Much Ado About Nothing 

86 The Critic 

VOL. VIII. 
JTThe Apostate 

68 Twelfth ^igllt 

69 Brutus 
Simpnon & Co 

Merchant of Venice 
Old Heads* Young Hearts 
" 'ountaineers [riage 

ree Weelis nft.-r Mar 
VOL. IX. 

1 Like It 
ler Brother 



VOL. XI. 

81 Julius Ca>sar 

82 Vicar of Wakefield 

83 Leap Year 

84 The Catspaw 

85 The Passing Cloud 

86 Drunkard 

87 Rob Roy 

88 George Barnwell 

VOL. XII. 

89 Ingomar 

90 Sketches in India 

91 Two Friends 
9 ' Jane Shore 

93 Corsican Brothers 

94 Mind your own Business 

95 Writing on the Wall 

96 Heir at Law 

VOL. XIIL 

97 Soldier's Daughter 
9"< Douglas 

99 Marco Spada 

100 Nature's Nobleman 

101 Sardanapalus 

102 Civilization 

103 The Robbers 

104 Katharine and Petruchio 
VOL. XIV. 

105 Game of Love 

106 Midsummer Night's 

107 Ernestine [Dream 
08 Rag Picker of Paris 

109 Flying Dutchman 
'10 Hypocrite 

11 Therese 

12 La Tour de Nesle 

VOL. XV. 

113 Ireland As It Is 

114 Sea of Ice 

5 Seven Clerks 

116 Game of Life 

117 Forty Thieves 

118 Bryan Boroihme 

119 Romance and Reality 
20 Ugolino 

VOL. XVI. 
121 The Tempest 
"22 The Pilot 
23 Carpenter of Rouen 
1;;4 King's Rival 

125 Little Treasure 

126 Dombey and Son 

127 Parents' and Guardians 

128 Jewess 

VOL. XVIL 

129 Camille 

130 Married Life 

131 Weulock of Wenlock 

132 Rose of Ettrickvale 

133 David Copperfield ' 
1.34 Aline, or the Rose of 
i35 Pauline [Killarney 

136 Jane Eyre 

VOL. XVIII. 

137 Night and Morning 

138 ^thiop 

139 Three Guardsmen 

140 Tom Cringle 

141 Henriette, the Forsaken 

142 Eustache Baudin 

143 Ernest Maltr-ivers 

144 Bold Dragoons 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Dred, or the Dismal 

[Swamp 

146 Last Davs of Pompeii 

147 Esmeraltia 

148 Peter Wilkins 

149 Ben the Boatswain 

150 Jonathan Bradford 

151 Retribution 

152 Mineral! 

VOL. XX. 

1 53 French Spy 

154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 

155 Evil Genius 

156 Ben Bolt 

157 Sailor of France 
'58 Red Mask 

Life of an Actress 
Wedding Day 



VOL. XXI. 

161 All's Fai.-in Love 

162 Hofer 

163 Self 

164 Cinderella 

165 Phantom 

166 Franklin [Moscow 

167 The Gunmaker of 

168 The Love of a Prince 

VOL. XXII. 

169 Son of the Night 

170 Rory O'More 

171 Golden Eagle 

172 Rienii 

173 Broken Sword 

174 Rip Van Winkle 

175 Isabelle 

176 Heart of Mid Lothian 

VOL. XXIIL 

177 Actress of Padua 

178 Floating Beacon 

179 Bride of Lai'r.mermoor 

180 Cataract of the Ganges 

181 Robber of the Rhine 

182 School of Reform 

183 Wandering Boys 
1S4 Mazeppa 

VOL. XXIV. 

185 Young New York 

186 The Victims 

187 Romance after Marriage 

188 Brigand 

189 Poor of New York 

190 Ambrose Gwinett 

191 Raymond and Agnes 

192 Gambler's Fate 

VOL. XXV. 

193 Father and Son 

194 Mussanielfo 

195 Sixteen String Jack 

196 Youthful Queen 

197 Skeleton Witness 

198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 

199 Miller and his Men 

200 Aladdin 

VOL. XXVI. 

201 Adrienue the Actress 

202 Undine 

203 Jesse Brown 

204 Asmodeus 

205 Mormons 

206 Blanche of Brandywine 

207 Viola 

208 Deseret Deserted 

VOL. XXVII. 

209 Americans in Paris 

210 Victorine 
Wizard of the Wave 

212 Castle Spectre 

213 Horse-shoe Robinson 

214 Armand. Mrs. Mowatt 

21 1 Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 

216 Glance at New York 

VOL. XXVIIL ^ 

217 Inconstant 

218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 

219 Guide to the Stage 

220 Veteran 

221 Miller of New Jersey 

222 Dark Hour before Dawn 

223 Midsum'rNight'sDream 

[Laura Keene's Edition 

224 Art and Artifice 

VOL. XXIX. 

225 Poor Young Man 

226 Ossawattomie Brown 

227 Pope of Rome 

228 Oliver Twist 

229 Pauvrette 

230 Man in the Iron Mask 

231 Knight of Arva 

232 Moll Pitcher 

VOL. XXX. 

233 Black Eyed Susan 
i'M Satan in Paris 

235 Rosina Meadows [ess 

236 West End, or Irish Heir- 

237 Six Degrees of Crime 

238 The Lady and the Devil 

239 Avenger, or Moor of Sici- 

240 Masks and Faces [ly 



"tandard Drama Continued on ^d page of d 



VOL. X. 

241 Merry Wives c 

242 Mary's Birthdi. 

243 Shaiidv Maguii 

244 Wild Oats ■» 
24.i Michael Erie 

i:45 Idiot Witness 

247 Willow Copse 

248 People's Lawyer 
VOL. XXXII 

249 The Boy Martyrs 

250 Lucretia Borgia 

251 Surgeon of Paris 

252 Patrician's Daughter 

253 Shoemaker of Toulm 

254 Momentous Questio 

255 Love and Loyalty 

256 Robber's Wife 
VOL. XXXIH. 

257 Dumb Girl of Gen 
Wreck Ashore 

259 Clari 

260 Rural Felicity 

261 Wallace 

262 Madelaine 

263 The Fireman 

264 Grist to the Mill 

VOL. XXXIV. 

265 Two Loves and a Li 

266 Annie Blake 

267 Steward 

268 Captain Kyd 

269 Nick of f hi Woods 

270 Marble Heart 

271 Second Love 

272 Dream at Sea , 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 Breach of Promise 

274 Review 

275 Lady of the Lake 

276 Still Water Runs Deep 

277 The Scholar 

278 Helping Hands 

279 Faust and Marguerite 

280 Last Man 

VOL. XXXVf, 

281 Belle's Stratagem 

282 Old and Young 

283 Raffaella 

284 Ruth Oakley ^ 

285 British Slave 
2ft6 A Life's Ransom 
287 Giralda 

28s Time Trie« All 

VOL. XXXVIL 

289 Ella Rosen burg 

290 Warlock of the Glen 

291 Zelina 

292 Beatrice 

293 Neighbor Jack wood 
294- Wonder 

295 Robert Emmet 

296 Green Bushes 

VOL. XXXVUI, 

297 Flowers of the Forest . 

298 A Bachelor of Arts t 

299 The Midnight BanqueJj 

300 Husband of an Hour 

301 Love's Labor Lost 

302 Naiad Qneen 

303 Caprice 

304 Cradle of Libert^ 

VOL. xxxi: 

.305 The Lost Ship 

306 Country Squire 

307 Fraud and its Vjctimb 

308 Putnam 

309 King and Deserter 

310 La Fiammina 

31 1 A Hard Struggle 

312 Gwinnette Vaughan 

VOL. XL 

313 The Love Knot [J' 

314 Lavater, or Not ^ 

315 The Noble He ' 

316 Coriolanvis 

317 The Wint 

318 Eveleeo' 

319 Ua.vy'^ 
1 320 J/-- 

OV 



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, 26 West 22d Street, Nev 

■)tive Catalogue Rap 



Fr 



THE MONEY SPINNER 



AN ORIGINAL COMEDY 



IN TWO ACTS 



ARTHUR W. PINERO 

Author of " Two Hundred a Year," " La Comctc," " 7?c'u can Play 
at lltat Gatiic," " Daisy's Escape " " Hester's Mystery," 
*' Bygones 



CoPYRiGnT, 1900, BY T. II. French' 



New York j Lo>jdon 

SAMUEL FRENCH SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

PUBLISHER PUBLISHERS 

26 WEST 22D STREET j 89 STRAND 



90213 



Library of Con^reaa 




Two Copies RccfivEo 


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DEC 18 1900 






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SECOND COPY 


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ORDER DtVtSlOM 

DEC £2 1900 





THE MONEY SPINiNEB. 



CAST OF CHARACTERS. 

Prince's, Manchester, St. James's. London, 

November Sth, ibSO. January sth, fSSi. 

Lord Kengussie Mr. J. Bolton Mr. W. H. Kendal. 

13ari)a Croodle Mr. E. J. Georj2:e Mr. John Hare. 

Harold Boycott Mr. R. A. Roberts Mr. J. Clayton. 

Jules Faubert Mr. A. C. Forde Mr. Mackintosh. 

Porter Mr. D. Verney. 

Millicent Boycott Miss Emily Levellez Mrs. Kendal. 

Dorinda Croodle Miss Nellie Young Miss Kato Phillips. 

Margot Miss Kate ThoburA Mrs. Gastou Murray. 



Act I. —Ten a.m. Act H— Ten p.m. 

Scene.— Boycott's Lodgings, 17 Rue Beauvoisine, Rouen. 



Time.— The Present. 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 



ACT I. 

Scene.— Harold Boycott's lodgings, 17, Rue Beauvoisins, 
Rouen. Time, ten o'clock in the morning. A large morn- 
ing room funiished in French fashion, brightly and 
gaudily. Walls and decorations in. white and gold. At 
hack tico ivindows which open on a railed balcony over- 
looking the centre court. On r. of stage, large doid)le 
doors, closed. On the opposite side a similar opening 
leading into another apartment, closed by curtains in 
place of doors. Below doors r. a small icriting-desk and 
chair. In the centre an ottoman to seat three people. 
Between the tivo unndows at back a pretty black piam^te ; 
OR the top of pianette a folded newspaper and three un- 
opened letters. A small drugget in centre is the only car- 
peting. Light chairs, mirrors, gold candelabre, etc., to 
fill .spaces. On balcony, outside left icindow, a small 
tabte and two camp-stools. Tfie table is laid for bi'cakfast, 
prettily, d la Franqaise. The sun is streaming into the 
room. Lively French music to open. At Hse of curtain 
Margot enters through doors r., cain^ing a bunch of 
grapes, a melon, and a bundle of flowers. Margot is 
Boycott's housekeeper^ and is a blunt and jovial-looking 
u'oman of fifty. She wears a blue cotton print dress, with 
a scrupulously white cap and frilled apron. She closes 
the doors after her. 

Mar. (wfio speaks French -English with the pronounced 
styl(fof a. Frenchwoman, surveying her purchases) Voila ! 
there we all are? {music ceases; she goes up to breakfast 
toble and puts the flowers in a small vase in the centre) It 
is grand ! {goes to the opening l. and draws curtain — she 
claps her hands sharply and calls) ]\Iadame Milly \ ^Mon- 
sieur Boycott ! ze breakfast 1 Madame Millicent ! ze break- 
fast ! {she goes off calling, through the opening T... closing 
the curtuins after her. Directly Margot has disappeared 
there is a knocking outside the doors s. It is repeated. 

5 



6 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Then the doors sloicly open and the /iectd o/ Monsieur JULES 
Faubert appears) 

Fau. {who also S2Jeaks icith the accent of a foreigner) 
Boycott, my friend, are you at home ? My friend Boycott, 
do'you hear me ? {receiving no answer lie enters rather 
eantionsly and looks rmmd. He is in black, ivearing a long 
tightly buttoned frock coat and a tall hat. His hair is red 
and closely erojjped, his voice is soft, and hismanner stealthy 
and ineehanical) Where is Boycott, my friend? Ah, he 
{>as not yet taken Jiis breakfast. (He crosses over to the 
ctrrtains L., and looks through) No one to be seen. Boy- 
cott asks me to call for liim at ten o'clock in the morning, 
and it is now a quarter-past ton by the Great Clock, and he 
is not visible, (ivalking round the room inspecting the 
objects with, curiosity) Yet he could not have left the house, 
tor I have been watching at the front door since eight 
o'clock, (takes letters from top of pianette) Besides, here 
are his letters unopened, {ejxnnines them narrowly, scru- 
tinizing the ivriting. and iveighing them in his hand) One 
Mr. Boycott, with the postmark of Ijondon. Two, Mon- 
sieur Boycott, witli the postmark of Rouen. Three, Ma- 
dame Boycott, with the postmark of Paris, (replacing 
letters) Ah, I liave not yet the pleasure of the acquaint- 
ance of Mjuiame Boycott. Poor soul, perlmps sh.e will know 
me some day. {going over to door r.) Well, I shall call 
again after breakfast. My friend Boycott is getting very 
unpunctual — a bad sign — a very bad sign. 

Ooe.s quietly out, r. , closing the doors after him as Tie 
leaves. Harold enters from l.. followed by Mil,iJ' 
CENT and IMaroot. Millicent goes to the breakfast 
table on. the balcony. Harold seats himself deject- 
edly on ottoman, c. Millicent is a pretty girl, dressed 
lightly and. tastefully. Harold a good-looking fellow 
in a dressing Jacket. 

Mil. {at breakfast table) Oh, what beautiful grapes! 
Tliank you, Margot. 

Mar/ I knew madame would love zem. (Millicent sits 
at fable. Margot fetches newspaper and letters from pia- 
nette, coining downu. of ottoman) Lettares for monsieur. 
{giving Harold newspaper and tJie letters; as Haiiold 
takes them he turns his head sharply totcards door ii.) 

Har. {suspiciously) There are footsteps on the stairs. 
Who is there ? 

Mar. I shall see. 

Mil. {on balcony) The sun has quite boiled the wine. 
(Margot has gone to the doors r., opened them, and looked 
out) 

Har. (?o Margot) AJt^eli? 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 7 

BIar. I do not see zee footsteps, monsieur. 

Har. {giving Margot a letter) Give this letter to your 
mistress, then go downstairs and ask the concierge if he 
has allowed anyone to pass tiiis morning. 

Mar. Yes, monsieur. (Margot takes letter to Millicent, 
and then goes out, r.) 

Har. {opening his letters; aside) The curse of these 
public staircases. One is never free from intrusion, might 
just as well live on the high road, {reading letter) Nothing 
but ill news from London. Nothing but dreary, dreary 
disappointment morning after morning. God help us! 
{crushes letter and. j^nts it in his pocket ; ojwns the other) 
Of course from Gourville, the tailor — will sue me for his 
account, v/ill he ? 

j\IiL. {from balcony) How manj- letters, Harold ? 

Har, One, dear. 

Mil. From wJiom ? 

Har. {opening ncAcspaper) Gourville, the tailor, for his 
bill. 

Mil. Oh, Harold, you ought to ]>ay him. 

Har. Yes, I ought. Who writes to you ? 

Mfl-. It is father's liandwriting. I don't want to spoil 
my breakfast, so I slian't open it yet. 

Har. {irritably) AVhat, in Heaven's name, does your 
fatlier want now ? 

Mil. {cntting bread) A couple of my silk dresses for 
Dorinda, I'll be bound. Or another frockcoat of yours, or 
a something to make up the rent. Poor dad ! dovvn on his 
luck again, I suppose. 

Har. Yes, but I wish to goodness he wouldn't be so 
down on other people's. Why does not your sister Dorinda 
go out into the world and earn her own living, and wear 
honest stuff dresses, as other women do r 

Mil. Poor Dolly is so helpless. 

Har. Helpless ! She is clever enough p.t turning the 
king at ecarte. 

Mil. Oh, Harold ! 

Hah. It is the truth. The first time that I met you at 
j'our father's house your ingenious little .sister cleared mo 
of six weeks' salary. I don't say she could help her posi- 
tion, poor girl, but it is a false one. 1 say, let your father 
give up his ugly little gambling parties and go to Aus- 
tralia. 

Mil. The Baron can't dig. 

Hah. " Baron," indeed ! Weil, then, if he can't dig, let 
him go to 

Mil. Ah, where? Come, Harold, where? 

Har. Well, my darling, don't insist on my allotting a 
destination to the Baron. It is a point on which I amlilcely 
to get a little warm. 



8 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Mil. You are unkind, sir. Come to your breakfast, 
(Harold does not pay any attention but reads newspaper 
absently) 

llAii. {aside) Suicide of a poor fellow from off the quay 
last ni^ht — for what reason I wonder? It's very fine and 
briglit on the quay at night-time. The water looks warm 
and soft and clear, and if a man has a trouble upon his 
mind — ugh ! I mustn't think of anytliing like that ! {rises 
hurriedly and takes ne^cspaper to desk R. , at whieJi he sits. 
Tmming newspaper and reading) They were trying crim- 
inals yesterday at the Court of Assize. Who is this ? 
{reading) "Octave Bernier, a clerk, charged with embez- 
zling the moneys of his employers." Embezzlement ! Good 

lieavens ! the very thing they would say if {reading 

eagerly) "Guilty — no extenuation — sentenced ten years." 
Ten long years. Poor wretch, what do his friends say ? 
— the friends who have respected him? And his young 
wife ? — mocked at by the world, scorned by thotse who had 
professed to love her — poor girl — poor girl T {the paper 
drops from his hand and lie sits thinking. Millicent has 
risen from the breakfast table and walks along the balcony 
to the window, R. She noio appears there tmth a floiver in 
her hand, which she has taken from the bouquet on the 
table) 

Mil. {opening the window softly) Harold! {he does not 
hear her) Come to breakfast, like a good boy {s?ie throws 
the flower toioards him — it falls short — then comes doum to 
him quietly and places her hand on his shoulder) What is 
wrong, dear? 

Har. {starting) Who is that ? 

Mil. It is I— Milly. What is the matter? 

Har. What are you doing ? Wliere is Margot ? Who 
was that I heard upon the stairs ? 

Mil. — I don't know, Harold. Are you angry with me ? 

Har. Angry— no. Forgive me, Mil, I was dreaming. 

Mil. {leaning oi^er his chair) Don't be selfish— lialvo 
your thoughts with me. {kissing him) I'll buy them of you. 

Har. You are a true woman, always ready to make a 
bad bargain. 

Mil. Ah, I knew something was wrong with you. For 
the imst week you have been so anxious and careworn — 
have had long deep wrinkles on your poor old forehead 
{tracing them u-ith her finger) like the tramway lines to 
Soneville — and uglj^ red eyes tliat look like danger sig- 
nals. You are as white as the ceiling, you are silent 
when not muttering to yourself, and you smoke two 
dozen cigars and eat a thimbleful of food a day. Tliere is 
something on your mind ; won't you tell me what it is ? 

Har. It is nothing — at least almost notliing. As you 
know, the heads of our firm are suixjrintendiiig the erec- 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 9 

tion of another great factory at Marseilles, and I am for 
tlie moment left alone in Rouen with the sole direction of 
many Jmndreds of people, and with great c-ares and re- 
sponsibilities. I am a yonn;jj man — perhaps the position is 
too grave fov me. At any rate 1 am a little — worried, 
(lea}iui(j hlfi head on his hand) That is all. 

Mil. You have nothing more to tell me ? 

Hah. N — no. 

Mil. Sure? 

Har. {painfully) Yes, I — am — sure. Why do you ask ao 
persistently V (Millicent kneels I/esidc him) 

Mil. I'll whisper it to you. {draicing his head near^ 
hers) Because, although I have been married nearly two 
years, I am over liead and ears in love with Mr. Harold 
Boycott. And if I thougJit that my sweetheart could 
keep a secret from me it would break my heart, {then 
rise. Harold walks slowly to c.) 

Har. (c.) Millicent. 

Mil. Yes? 

Har. Don't you remember your old sweetheart — the 
man from whom I took you when we became engaged — 
the man you would have married but for your love for me 'i 
Don't you remember ? 

Mil. Yes, Lord Ronald Kengussie. What of liim ? 

Har. I wisli most sincerely that I had never taken you 
away from him — I wish that your love for him had been 
deeper than your love for me — and that you liad become 
his wife. With all my heart I wish it. 

Mil. If you have any love for me, you won't speak to 
me like this, Harold, for shame ! 

Har, I wish it because Kengussie is rich and I am poor — 
because he is a gentleman and I a clerk in a cotton fac- 
tory — because he would liave placed you beyond the reach 
of trials and dangei-s, and I, perhaps, may live to drag you 
down to them. 

I\IiL. Trials and dangers ! (going to Harold) I knew it. 
Le^ ine sliare ytnir daugi'r — I ask it as a right. 

IlAitOLD {kissing Iier) You sliall sliare it when it <'omes. 
I wish to heaven it were a right I could deny you. 

Margot enters door, r. , Millicent stai'ts from Harold. 

Mar. {clapping her hands) Oh, madame, I am .so sorry 
zat I enter on ze suddenly. I love so to see you kiss 
Monsieur Boycott. 

Mil, Be quiet, Margot ! 

Mar, Ah, pardon me, madame, but I am a widow. If I 
had kissed mypoor Alphonse more frequently I should now 
be a Iiappier woman. 

Har, I am afraid you have been gossiping, Margot. 
Have you asked if any one hivs called for me tliJs morning? 



10 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Mar. Oh, yes, monsieur. A gentleman— a red-headed 
geHtleman — passed up and down ze sUiirs. He told the 
concierge he would return. 

Har. a red-headed gentlejuan. {relieved) Oh, of coiu'se, 
Jules Faubert. {to Millicent) My new fellow clerk, Milly, 
wliom you do not know. A very good, honest fellow. 
(to Margot) Thank you, Margot. (M argot goes off, r. 
IIarold and Millicent seat themselveti at table outside 
window at breakfast). 

Mil. What induces Monsieur Faubert to call for you, 
Harold? 

Har. He seems to have taken quite a liking to me. and 
ho said it would please him to call for me on his way to 
business. 

Mil. Do you like him ? 

Har. Um— I don't know. He has only been in the 
office about a week, so I can scarcely judge the man. At 
any rate he sticks to me like a leech. (Margot throivs 
open tite doors, R. ) 

Mar. Monsieur Faubert ! 

Faubert enters. Harold rises and comes down, meet- 
ing him, c. 

Har. Ah, Faubert, how do you do? It is kind of you to 
call. Have you breakfjisted '? 

Fau. {shaking his hand) Thank you — yes. We shall 
be late for our duties, shall we not? 

Har. What a fellow you are for work ! {tJtey stand 
talking) 

Mar. {at door, r. ) I do not like Monsieur Boycott's 
now compagnon. He is soft like the cat and (tunning like 
the fox. A noisy man is a nuisance — a quiet man is a 
danger. {Exit, R.) 

Har. I'll go at once and finish dressing, {pointing to 
7iewspaper) There is the paper, {goes to opening, L.) 
Oh, Milly, dear, I beg j^our pardon. This is Monsieur 
Faubert. Faubert — my Avife. (Millicent ?i.s*es. boics, and 
reseats herself . Favtsert bows profoundly, down stage, R.) 

Mil. How do you do, Monsieur Faubert? {to Harold) 
Harold ! {he goes to her) You have eaten no breakfast. 

Fau. {aside, down stage) Madame is a pretty woman. 
Her face reminds me oi—{thonght fully, tapping his fore- 
head) Um ! of whom does Madame Boycott remind me? 
{He sits at irriting-table, R., and takes up newspaper) 

Mil. (cri /aW^, l., /"o Harold) After all, you didn't tell 
me your troubles, dear, I shall be so unliappy all day. 

Har. I was a fool to say what I did. I am a little 
harassed and vexed, that is all. 

Fau. {reading) " Octave Bernier, a clerk, charged with 
embezzlement — no extenuation — ten years." Good ! Ah, 



• THE MONEY SPINNER, H 

friend Octave, you don't know Jiow mucli of that you owe 
to me. {kissing his hand to newspaper) Au revoiVy 
Monsieur Bernier. 

Mil. {to Harold) Must you go, dear ? 

Har. Fear nothing, darling ! all is well, {to Faubert) 
I am going to shave, Faubert ; wait five minutes, {he goes 
off through curtains, l, ) 

Fau» {aside) To shave ! That means a razor. I hate 
razors. Three times in my life I have been frustrated by 
a razor. It is such a sudden temptation. {MiiAjICENT puts 
her head round window and looks at Faubert) 

Mil. {aside) What sort of man is Harold's new friend, 
I wonder ? 

Fau. {aside, gazing at newspaper) Something tells me 
I am being looked at. How curious women are ! 

Mil. Monsieur Faubert ! 

Fau. {aside) I was right, {he lays aside news^mper and 
rises) Madame. 

Mil. I am so anxious about my husband. He appears 
sadly harassed and overworked at his business. Can you 
tell me if there is any special reason for his anxiety ? 
(Faubert goes up to windoiv, l. Millicent remains 
seated) 

Fau. {aside) Ah, the fool cannot keep his own secrets. 
{to Millicent) I regret I cannot account for it, madame. 

Mil. And you work with him in the same counting- 
house ? 

Fau. Ah, but in a different channel. His duty leads 
him one way — mine another. Madame — pardon me. 

Mil. Yes? 

Fau. Your face seems strangely familiar to me. Have 
we met before ? "^s^ 

Mil, {looking at him) I have no recollection of such a 
pleasure. 

Fau. Ah, I am wrong. But a man is always dreaming 
svyeet images, and when he meets with the embodiment of 
his dreams he sees, of course, a familiar face. 

Mil. Oh, thank you. Monsieur Faubert. {aside) I don't 
like this man. 

Fau. {aside) I have seen this woman before— upon toy 
soul I have. 

Margot enters, door r. 

Mar. Madame — the portare with the luggage ! 

A Porter, dressed in a blue blouse, enters, carrying a 
box and miscellaneous luggage which he deposits up 
stage, r.c. Margot then sfiows him out. 

Mil. {crossing over to luggage) Luggage ! Whose lug- 
gage? {reading labels) Good gracious ! Papa and Dorinda. 



12 THE MONEY SPINNER.* 

Excuse me, Monsieur Faubert. (running towards opening 
L. and calling) Harold 1 Harold ! here's the family ! (runs 
out L. Faubert goes to luggage) 

Fau. Papa's luggage — wliat is papa's name ? {reading 
label) Ah, ni on Dieii, I was riglit ! "The Baron Croodle, 
passenger from Paris to Rouen." Croodle, the proprietor 
of a little gatubling liouse in the Rue St. Nicholas— the old 
swindler ! I knew I had seen Madame Boyt-ott's face 
before this morning. Diable I I must silence the Baron ! 
If he recognises me he spoils my game, {turns up stage 
and goes out l. window on to balcony) 

Marqot throws open the door r. and enters. 

Mar, Zis way, Monsieur le Baron. Zis way, mademoi- 
selle, if you please. 

Baron Croodle and Dorinda enter. Croodle is an 
untidy dissolute old man, wearing a tightly buttoned 
up suit of seedy black with no perceptible linen. The 
breast of his coat is decorated with some orders. 
Dorinda is a pretty, fresh-looking girl, in a rather 
shoury travelling dress. 

Croo. {urith a grand air) Thank you, my good woman, 
thank you 

Dor. (effusively) Oh, papa, what bang-up lodgings ! 

Croo. Dorinda 1 (to Margot) Acquaint Mrs. Boj^cott 
with the arrival of her father. (MxRdOT crosses to l.) Say 
the word "father" very gently, for though my child 
expects me, still, as we have been apart for some time, too 
sudden a joy might prove dangerous. 

Mar. Yes, Monsieur le Baron. 

Croo. (taking off his very greasy and disreputable hat) 
Stay — take my hat. (Margot takes it with much disgiist 
between her finger and thumb) And don't let Mrs. Boycott 
see it before you announce me. The sudden sight of her 
father's hat might give my child a bit of a shock. 

Mar. Yes, Monsieur le Baron, (goes out L., Croodlr 
and Dorinda sit on ottoman, c.) 

Dor. (lolling back) Oh, pa, isn't this proper? 

Croo. No low English vulgarisms, please, Dorinda. 

Dor. And no humbug, please, Baron. (nudging 
Croodle ivith her elbow) Don't you feel in clover at last, 
pa, dear V 

Croo. Why should I, Dorinda ? 

Dor. No longer dei)endent for one's miserable dinner on 
that wretched gaming saloon, eh r 

Croo. Hush, Dolly ! 

Dor. No more sick headaches over that ghastly Baccarat, 
that dreadful Lansquenet, and that horrid Ecarte. No 
more card nightmares, no more gambling ! 



THE MONEY SPINNER. ]3 

Croo. Of course not — except for our own pleasure. 

Dor. No more liorrjd men to smoke and swear while we 
look on smilinjj; — no more flares up with the police. 

Croo. It is all over. 

Dor. No more shameful misery ! Oh, I'm so p;la(l ! Oh. 
I'm so glad ! {unjiing licv eyes) Pa, 111 go to the Englisli 
church at Soneville on Sunday, you see if I don't ! 

Croo. So will I, my darling, if I'm well enough. 
(Croodle takes out a little spirit JJ ask from his pocket and 
puts it to his lips) 

Dor. Don't, pa, I'll take that away from you if I see you 
put it to your lips again, 

Croo. It's only quinine, Dolly— a tonic for your old 
father. (Faubert looks in through the unndow, R.) 

Fau. (aside) I don't think my friend Boycott expected 
the old reprobate and his daughter this morning. Oh, 
viou Dieu, wliat a family to marry ! 

MiLLICENT runs ill from L. 

Mil. How do you do, daddy? How are you, Doll? 
(kisses them) 

Croo. My dear child ! My firstborn ! 

Dor. (r.) You're not so rosy as you used to be, Mill. 
Oh, I do like the cut of your dress, (turning about) I'm a 
swell, too, ain't I? 

Mil. (c.) We are so astonished to see you ! 

Dor. Didn't you get our letter ? 

Mil. Yes, and I'm so ashamed of myself, like a simple- 
ton, I forgot to open it. (Croodle is again drinking from 
the flask. Dorinda litters a screed t) 

Mil. Good gracious ! What is the matter ? 

Dor. Knock it out of his hand, Milly— slap him on the 
back and choke him. 

T^tiL. (to Croodle) Don't drink that, father— I'll get you 
some coffee. 

Croo. (l.) Mv child— a little quinine— a tonic for your 
old father. (Harold enters L., dressed for icalking. 
Croodle embraces him) My dear son-in-law ! 

IIar. (cooUij) How do you do, Mr. Croodle V 

Croo. Never better, dear boy, never better. Milly says 
she didn't open my letter this morning, so we come upon 
vou as a pleasant surprise. 

Har. You do— as a surprise, (seeing Dorinda) Ah, 
Dolly, how are you ? 

Dor. I'm Al, brother-in-law, - 

Croo. You did nr^t expect, when you rose this mornmg, 
that Dorinda and your old father were winging their way 
to your peaceful little nest, did you ? 

Har. No, sir, I did not, and I shall be happy to exchange 
a few words with you on the subject, at your convenience. 



14 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

(crossing over to Dorinda, kindly) You are looking very 
well, Dolly, dear, (kisses her) 

Croo. At your service, my dear boy. ISiilly, shov.' your 
yister to her room, Avill you? 

Mil. Come along, Doll, you must be tired. 

Dor. Take me upstairs and lend me your powder puff, 
Mill, I shall be as fresh as a lark after that. (Millicent 
and Dorinda cross to opening l.) 

Dor. Got anv new dresses, Mill ? 

Mil. a few. " 

Dor. Little Madame Vautier, the new Parisian dress- 
maker, is building me such a rig-out. I'll tell you all 
about it. {rapidly) It's a demi-train skirt — embroidery 
down the front and round the train — open skirt lilled in 
with deep kilting tied across with ribbon bows — short 
sleeves edged with fringe, {goes offh., icith Millicent, 
talking loudly) 

Croo. (l.c.) Light-hearted prattler! Just like her 
father, Harold — just like his flow of spirits, {puts flask to 
his li2JS as before) A tonic, dear boy — a trifle of quinine. 

Har. Now, Mr. Croodle ! 

Croo. I beg your pardon, but, Baron Croodle, if you 
please — a little matter of a title. 

Har. a little matter of humbug and imposition, sir, 
which you will be good enough to waive with me. {seats 
himself at writing table, R.) Now, Mr. Croodle, I want to 
know the meaning of this intrusion. 

Croo. {sitting on ottoman, C.) Certainly, dear lad. I've 
given up the Parisian establishment ; Baron Croodle's 
gaming saloon in the Rue St. Nicholas is a thing of the 
past, over wliich fond memory alone can delight, and the 
Baron is an independent gentleman. In other words {tap- 
ping Jiis nose) I am on another and a better game. 

Har. But to what do I owe your uninvited presence 
here ? 

Croo. Dear lad, didn't you hear me say I have left 
Paris ? 

Har. Well? 

Croo. Well — I have come to Rouen. 

Har. {rising) To remain ? 

Croo. To remain. What more natural than that — hav- 
ing severed my connection with a turbulent capital — I 
should seek an asylum in the calm repose of my son-in- 
law's provincial establishment ? 

Har. {advancing firmly to Croodle) Mr. Croodle, when 
two years ago I married your daughter, I did not in any 
sense of the word wed her family. I took her — I am not 
ashamed to say it — from a gaming house, from an atmos- 
phere which would have poisoned the mind and contami- 
nated the very soul of a woman an atom less pure than 



THE MONEY SPINNER, 15 

1 .Millv Sir there is contagion ill moral as well as ' 
^'^f'' l^l n^KdiLs an^^ for thi? reason I must re.iuest 
uli^yoa'aiT^or Dolly instantly withdraw irom n.y 

^'""croo. Mr. Harold Boycott, I shall not withdraw from 

yom* house. , 

Ji^n^o ^SXff canteu' t When you married my givl 

you''n,Sf™^! f-ulV. ana for that you owe her 

family distinct reparation. 

H\R I don" t understand you. ^,.r Miiw 

rnoo At the time you were sweetheartmg my MiUy 

f^ t^^<^^ r;.aT^r;SnS^"o«x 

^^o:V^Lge.eHeaWl Well sir. ^^^%^^'^^ 
is on the hook again he ib, by gaa I we lost y 

hp'll marry her in less tlian a year. , „ ^, . „ 

mv incuiTing fresh responsibdities. 

CROC (i./r^>/ti>(3rmi/) Ohdearl oh dear ! 



16 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Har. But, for Milly-s sake and for the sake of IMilly's 
sister, you are welcome. 

Croo. {taking Ms hand) (xod bless you, dear lad. God 
4>lossyou! Kengussie \\\\l turn up sliortly and he'll l>e 
delighted. (Croodle /.s- <i}Htnt to <h'iiik fnnii Jlasl- agdiji 
when Harold interposes mid takes it from Jiiiii.) 

Har. Pardon me, father-in-hiw, but there are one or two 
restrictions which I invariably impose on my guests 

Croo. A little very respectable quinine, nothing more, 
dear lad. 

Har. The first is — brandy at seasonable times. (Harold 
goes up to unndoic, r., and flings the flask 02it into the eoui^t 
heloio. Faubert is not in sight at the time) It is Lord 
Kengussie's desire that your new life be one of conven- 
tional respectability, and I shall respect that desire. If 
your craving for tonics is too freely indulged in, I shall be 
compelled to tell you that your welcome here is at an end. 

Croo. Under your roof we shall be respectable enough 
for a prince, not to speak of a Scotch lord. I must tell 
Dolly, I must, by gad ! (goes to h.) Dolly, we are to stay ! 
We are respectable, by gad ! For the first time in our lives 
we're d respectable, (hmi'ies off, L.) 

Har. Poor devil ! I couldn't have done less, (looks at 
zvatch) How late ! I dread to go to my desk, but I mu.st 
not stay longer, it would appear suspicious. 

Faubert, ivho has been out of sight upon the balcony, 
now enters through icindoiv, R. 

Fau. (r.) Boycott, are you ready ? 

Har. (c.) Oh, Faubert,' a thousaiid pardons, I had for- 
gotten you. Some unexpected arrivals disconcerted me. 
Fau. Let us waste no more time, (goes to door^ r.) 
Har. I am ready, old fellow. 

MiLLiCENT enters from I.., foUoirrd 5?/ Dorinda ; they 
come to Harold". 

Mil. Dolly has told me everything. Harold, and papa 
says that ho" and Dolly are to stay. Dolly wants to thank 
you, dear. 

Har. Nonsense ! (Dorinda comes to Harold, unphiglter 
eyes) 

Dor. Harold dear, I made up a speech on the second 
floor landing. It was a very pretty speech, and I — I — I've 
forgotten it. (throwing her arms round him) Harold, 
you're a brick. 

Har. You're a goose. Good-bye Milly, I'm off. 

Mil. Good-bye, dear. Don't be late. 

Har. No— now then, Faubert. 



THE MONEY SPINNER. I7 

Fau. (tip at door — boM-mgrfo Millicent) Madame. (MiL- 
LiCENT bows in return) 

Har. (aside) Sliall I ever leave this house again with a 
light heart, I wonder, (takes Faubert's arm and tliey go 
off,R.) 

Dor. {sitting l. of ottomav) Who's your foxy friend? 

Mil. (sitting r. of ottoman) A new clerk at the factory. 
He runs after Harold. 

Croodle re-enters from l. in Harold's dressing Jacket 
and slippers, and smoking a cigar. 

Croo. I've taken the liber tj^ girls, of borrowing dear 
Harold' sjacket and slippers, (going np to irindow,!^.) If, 
there is a cup of coffee going, I don't mind partaking. 

Margot enters from L. Croodle intercepts her and 
speaks in an undertone. 

Croo. My dear, in the court below you will find a silver 
flask which by accident dropped from the balcony'. Get it 
refilled with the best — the very best — brandy — make it an 
item of domestic expenditure. I shall not forget you. 

Mar. Yes, Monsieur le Baron. (Margot crosses over to 
R. doors) 

Miii. Where are you going, Margot ? (Croodle j^^^ts his 
fingers to his lips. Margot does not notice him ) 

Mar. To fetch a zomething for your dear papa, (she goes 
out. Croodle sits at table on balcony) 

Dor. (to MiLLiCENT) I've always dropped in for your left- 
off goods all my life, Mill — old dresses, old boots, old gloves. 
Not that I mind, dear, for you're a good sort, and an old 
garment is better than new when it has been worn by you. 
And now I've come in for- your old sweetheart, Ronsikl 
Kengussie. Poor Ronald, he's soft but he's good, like a 
sponge-cake. 

Mil. Mind you are good to him, Dolly, for he's as kind- 
hearted as ever man was. I treated him so badly, but I'm 
glad you are to be his wife, because you will be able to be- 
friend me when he runs me down. 

Dor. Lord bless you, he never runs you down, he always 
speaks of you as if you were a very valuable specimen of a 
museum mummy, a precious something to be talked about 
in whispers, and not even to be dusted by sacrilegious 
hands. I'll tell j'ou a secret, Milly. 

Mil. What ! a secret ? 

Dor. (u^hispering) Ronald Kengussie loves me now be- 
cause he loved you two years ago. 

Mil. What do you mean ? 

Dor. I'm not a bit like you. Mill. I know that. I was 



18 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

always no end of a rough sort ; not soft and gentle as j'ou 
are ; but there must be something in my face which re- 
minds liim of you — some look in the eyes or some toss of 
the head — and he loves me for it. 

Mil. Nonsense, Dolly, he loves you for yourself, I knou*. 

Dor. I know better, and I'm glad of it. 

Mil. You are glad of it ? (rising) 

Dor. Yes, because I want him to think me like you. 
Since you left us I've had two more years of the little 
liouse in the Rue St. Nicholas, and I'm no better for it. 
And I love old Ronald with all my soul because he's fool 
enough to look at a girl like me. 

Mil. IIusli 1 Don't talk like that, DoUy. 

Dor. I wish he was jwor, so that I could work for him. 
I wish lie was ill, so that I could nurse him. I'm not 
clever at anything but cutting an ace now and then, but I 
would slave for Ronald till my hands dropped gff — I would, 
I would, I would ! 

Mil, (kissing her) Dear old Dolly ! 

Dor. A\% if Kengussie were in rags and walking the 
muddy street without a shoe to his foot, I'd sit up all night 
to work him a pair of v.oollen slippers ! 

Croo. (at table on balcony) Doriuda, cut your father a 
slice of melon ! 

Dor. That's right, dad, make yourself at home, (goes up 
and sits icith Croodle on balcony) 

Mil. (aside) I shall be so happy when Dolly is married. 
I shall feel then that we can' bid good-bye to even the 
recollection of our old life, 

Harold enters quickly from doors, r. , closing doors after 
him. He comes to Millicent. Seeing Croodle and 
DoRiNDA on balcony, he speaks in an undertone. His 
manner is agitated. 

Mil. Harold I Back already! 

Har. Hush ! Something has happened ! 

Mil. Something happened? Tell me, Harold, quickh\ 
You are ill — I see it in your face. What is it ? 

Har. Sit down, (she sits l. of ottoman, he r.) Are vou 
brave, Milly ? 

Mil. Oh. Harold, what is it you have to tell me? 

Har. Sweetheart, I promised you that when the time 
came jon should share my trials and dangers. I have 
brought them to you now. (Millicent looks at him and 
pidsher hand inliis) But I liave not told you tliat when 
you share my dangers you must share also my crimes. 

Mil. Your crimes ! (she unthdraws her hand) 

Har. My friends will designate my acts as crimes, so 
will the law. Milly, I have taken moneys which do not 



THE MONEY SPINNER. ] 9 

belong to me, and I am in trouble. What have ymi to 
sjiy tome? (rising. Millicent rises with himaudldsses 
iiini fondly) 

Mil. Notliir.g. (Harold goes over to r., and seats himself 
at desk ; when seated Millicent kneels at his feet) Tell me 
about it. 

Har. You know fiow fond I am of my young brother ? 
You know tliat from the day we were botli left orphans I 
have tried to stand in the place of a father to liim. Weil, 
tliree weeks ago, I suddenly hear from him that he has lost 
in betting a very large sum. The money nmst be paid at 
once, or our name would be dishonored, and my" brother 
would never be able to hold up his head again. Algy 
explained that five hundred pounds was owing to him from 
ti friend, who he confidently expected would pay him in a 
few days. . But his debtor was in Norway, and the matter 
would bear no delay. His only chance was that I should 
be able to help him. 

IMiL. And you did, you dear, generous Harold ! 

Har, I had not the amount. My whole savings were not 
nearly enough. But during tlie absence of the heads of 
the firm at Marseilles I have had the entire conduct of the 
factory, and the daily handling of large sums of money, 
Whj^ should I not save my brother by employing part of 
this money ? It would be' repaid before the return of my 
employers. Who would be the wiser, who would be the 
worse ? 

Mil, Oh, Harold, and your brother has not returned the 
money ? 

Har. His friend — curse him ! — failed to pay him. My 
brother has wn-itten to liim day after day, but, as I heard 
this morning, till now witliout result. Milly, darling, I 
am a ruined and dishonored man. I have just heard 
that M. Ribot, the liead of the factory, returns to-day ; to- 
morrow I shall luive to account for every penny which has 
passed through my hands. I have betrayed my trust, and 
I can hope for no mercy. (Millicent takes off her brace- 
lets and necklace and gives them to Harold) 

Mil. I have some more jewellery and a little money up- 
stairs, dear, I will fetch it. {she is about to rise ; he de- 
tains her) 

Har. My dear little wife, it is useless, {places jewellery 
on desk) As I told you, my debt to the fu'm is more tliau 
ten thousand francs. 

Mil. Ten thousand francs! Oh, Harold, how can wo 
raise so large a sum by to-morrow V 

Har. It is impossible, there is no liope. 

Mil. (rising) Tiiere is hope, there must be hope. I will 
get it— I will get it if I die for it. 



20 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Makoot cntet-s door, r. 

Mar. Lord Kengiissie ! 

Lord Kengussie enters. ]\L\RaoT goes out. Ken- 
GUSSiE is a fair-haired, mild-looking young Scotch- 
man. 

Mil. How do yo\i do, Lord Kengiissie ? 

Ken. (c.) Bless me, how are you? {shaking her hand) 

How is Mr. dear me, there goes his name. I've no 

memory. (Harold f/rZi-anccs) How do you do? {taking 
Harold's hand) This is an awful intrusion, but the fact 
is I knew Dolly was here nd I have not seen Iier since 
yesterday, and I wanted to know if .she was pretty com- 
fortable, which, of cour.se, I knew she would be with you, 
and I wished particularly to renew my acquaintance with 
you and Mrs. bless me. there goes the name again. 

Har. I am very pleased to see you. {leading him to 
window L.) Here is Dolly — and Mr. Croodle. 

Ken. {a.nde) Yes, I thought I scented the Baron. 
(Harold and Kengushie Join Croodle and Dorinda on 
the balcony) 

Mil. {aside, domi stage, r. c.) Ten thousand francs or 
exposure and disgrace. Money or ruin. Wliat shall I do ? 
Cry, and give up the game as others do ? 

Ken. {from up .^tage) You have always rosy cheeks, 
Dolly dear. You shall never lose them if I can help it, by 
Jove t 

Mil. (aside) Kengfissie ! He is so rich. He might help 
me. Shall I ask my rejected lover to help the man v.lio 
took me from liim f Oh, I cannot ! I am a weaker crea- 
ture than I thought. I cannot do that. Oh, how I wish I 
were back in the little gaming house in Paris, in all my old 
misery and wretchedness, with my ])ack of cards. Cards ! 
cards ! Why should they not help me ! {covering her face 
tvith her hands) No, no— not again. And yet, wliy not ? 
Nothing can uiulo the past — wliy am I so squeamish now ? 
(Kenoubsie comes down. l. c.) 

Ken. Haven't you anything to say to me, Mrs. 

confound it, there goes the name again. Haven't you any- 
thing to say to an old friend, Milly ? (Millicent takes 
necklace and bracelets from table and advances to Ken- 
gussie) 

Mil. I am very pleased to see you again. Lord Kengussie. 
{sitting on ottoman, ii.) 

Ken. {leaning over ottmnan at back) Thanks. 

Mil. {puttijig on necklace) And so delighted to liear 
about you and dear Dolly. 

Ken. {he arranges the fastenings of Millioent's iieck- 



THE MONEY SPINNEli. 21 

lace) Yos, I am in love with Dolly, She is your sister, you 
know. 

Mil, Yes, I know. 

Ken. Sh« is so unlike, and yet so like you. Is it very 
wicked for a fellow to marry a young lady because she 
resembles some one else ? 

Mil. Y'^es, very wicked. 

Ken. Then I deserve to be hanged. (MiLLlCENT is or- 
ranging a bracelet ; she holds out her hand to Kengussie ; 
he fastens bracelet) Permit me. 

Mil. Do you notice much change in me ? 

Ken. Yes, you are very jolly and kind, which you used 
not to be. 

Mil. We grow wiser as we grow older. All wise people 
are kind. 

Ken. All kind people are not wise. Look at me, I try 
to be kind and my friends tell me I'm a regular fool. 

Mil. How can they be so rude ? 

Ken. They speak the truth — I am a fool ; you made a 
fool of me two years ago. 

Mil. You are not very kind now ; you contrived to be 
much pleasanter in the old days. 

Ken. Yes, in the old days t never opened my mouth ; 
now that you are married I can talk, somehow. 

Mil. How glad you must be, then, that I am married. 
How long do you remain in Rouen? 

Ken. I leave here to-morrow for MucKairn, in Argylo- 
shire, and Dolly is to remain in your care. 

Mil. Let me see as much of you as possible. Stay ! I 
have a bright idea. 

Ken. I am sure you have. 

Mil. This is such a happy reunion — I will give a little 
party to-night, a nice, quiet, little family party. You are 
one of our family now, you know. 

Croc, {loudly from balcony) That's the fellow, sii- — 
stabbed his wife in the left lung with a carving-knife, by 
Gad ! 

Ken, {glancing over his shoulder towards Croodle) Y'^es, 
I know. 

Mil . Will you come ? 

Ken. Of course — you know I will. 

Mil. And I have another idea. We two will have a 
match at Ecarte. We are old enemies at cards, and I owe 
you your revenge, {softly) Kengussie, I have not played 
at Ecarte since we two played together, two years ago, in 
the little house, in the Rue St. Nicholas. 

Ken. I never was much of a hand at Ecarte, but I always 
liked to sit opposite to 5'ou, in those old days — to sit op- 
posite you and look into your face. ' 

Mil, You will play better now. Those old days have 



2'i THE MONEY SPINNER. 

made their bow and departed. Now the face, for which 
you used to neglect the game, has lost its freslmess. Don't 
i\;rget — cards at ten. 

Ken. I shall not forget, Mrs. Vjy Jove ! there goes 

the name ! 
'Mil. Boycott. 

Ken. Never mind — " Milly " will do. I shall not forget, 
Milly. (DoRiNDA comes from balcony) 

Dor. {to Kengussie— s7m?-pZ2/) Ronald ! 

Ken. I beg your pardon ! 

Dor. Pray don't nlake a mistake. We are two sisters — 
that is Milly, this is Dolly— one is married, the other 
single. 

Ken. Just so; 

Mil. (hastily) Dolly dear, play something. I never 
play now. 

Ken. Do, Doll. (Kengussie takes Dorinda to thepianette 
and sta7ids by her side) 

Mil. (to Harold) Harold ! (Harold comes dou-n) 
Harold — keep a firm, brave heart, and go down to the fac- 
tory again as if all were well. There is — there is — hope. 

Har. (r. of ottoman) Hope ! (Dorinda plays a lively 
air {French) very softly on the piano) 

Mil. Don't ask me hovv, or wliy. Leave all to me, and 
question nothing I say or do. 

Har. Milly, you are mad. 

Mil. Have you forgotten what I was in my father's 
house, in the Rue St. Nicholas, before you rescued me from 
its misery and degradation? Have you forgotten what 
tliey called me then, because of my never- failing good 
fortune— because of my luck. They called nie the Money 
Spinner! I shall see if I can spin now, as I could spin 
then ! 

Har. No, no, Milly— I forbid it ! 

The doors R. ojkh and Faubert enters. Dorinda ceases 
playing. 

Fau. Pardon my entering unannounced — your servant 
is absent. Boj'^cott, our Monsieur Ribot has returned from 
Marseilles, and requires to see you. 

Mil. {aside to Harold) Have courage ! 

Har. {going up to Faubert) I am ready. 

Mil. {rising) Monsieur Faubert, we Imvo a little family 
party here to-night ; cards and reminiscences at ten 
o'clock. Will you join us ? 

Fau. (bowing) Madame, I shall be so liappy. 

Mil {reseating hes-aelf) Harold, introduce Monsieur 
Taubert. 

Har, {taking Faubert "s a/- /h') Faubert, my sister-in-luw, 



THE MOMEY SPINNER. 23 

Miss Croodle. Lord Kengiissie, Monsieur Jules Faubert. 
(DoRiNDA nods ; Kengussie boivs ; Harold takes Faubert 
overtoil.) 

Dor. {aside io Kengussie) I hate sandy men ! {looking at 
Kengussie's fair hair) Ob, I beg pardon, Ronald. 

Har. {to Croodle) Mr. Croodle, let me introduce you to 
my friend Faubert. (Harold leaves Faubert l., and 
joi7is Kengussie and Dorinda at piano) 

Croo. {entering from balcony) ''Baron'' Croodle, my 
son-in-law should have said. How d'ye do? {starting 
back u'ith surprise) Grognon ! 

Fau. {laying his finger on his lijys) Hush 1 Keep my 
secret, and it Will be well for you. (Faubert looks quietly 
at Croodle and then goes over to r. of ottoman and speaks 

to MiLLICENT) 

Fau. {to MiLLICENT) Madame, you will never pardon me. 
I am always trying to take your good husband away from 
you {they talk) 

Croo. (l.) Dorinda! 

Dor. Yes . pa. ( Dorin da lea ves H arold a n d Kengussie 
and join s Croodle ) 

Croo. {aside to BoRmD a— trembling) Dolly ! don't you 
recognize that fellow Faubert ? 

Dor. Not a bit. 

Croo. You liaven't the scent that I have. Not a word, 
not a whisper of what I'm going to tell you. That man is 
Pierre Grognon, one of the best known detectives in the 
Parisian Police I 

Dor. Wliat of it ! 

Croo. Wliatof it? He is a worm with the sting of a 
serpent. What the devil is lie doing here ? 

Dor. He is a clerk now in Harold's factory. I suppose 
he has given up collaring swindlers— become one himself. 
{she returns to the pianette and reseats herself. Harold 
goes to R. Croodle stands l. , aghast) 

Har. Are vou coming, Faubert ? 

Fau. Certainly, my friend, {to Millicent— 6oirmf;) 
Au revoir, Madame— we meet to-night. (Dorinda resumes 
playing softly. Faubert goes up and bows to her and 
Kengussie, speaking a few icords to them in an undertone, 
as MiLLICENT speaks) 

Mil. {aside on ottoman) To-night! Wliat will that 
bring? The Money Spinuer and the man who once loved 
her so dearly. Oh, what is it I am going to do ? What am 
I going to do ? {she buries her face in her hands. Faubert 
joins Harold) 

Har. Come, Faubert. {as they are leaving, the doors r. 
are throu-n open, and Margot appears tvith Croodle's 
spirit flask) 

Mar. {loudly, holding nj) Jfask) Ze brandy for Mon- 



24 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

sieur le Baron ! (Dorinda bursts out laughing and plays 
very forte— CuooYM.^ hastily goes out through the opening 
L. as the curtain falls quickly) 

End of Act 1. 

Harold. Dorixda. Kengussie. 

Faubert. 
Margot. Croodle. 

MlLLICENT. 



xVCT II. 

^CY.^-p..—Same as in Act I. Night time. Wktidojcs open 
and bright moonlight on balcony. Doors R. closed, cur- 
tains L. closed. Ottoman removed to L. down, stage. 
Doum stage R.c. a small card table with green baize top, 
on which are tioo packs of cards, lighted candle, with 
shade and small bell. Chair r. and L. of card table. 
One or tivo camp stools on balcony. Pianette candles 
lighted, also lighted candles round room. Soft senti- 
mental music to open. At rise of curtain Dorinda is 
discovcreil seated on balcony outside of R. window. Sh^^ 
is dressed smartly for the evening. Croodle is asleep on 
ottoman dou-n li with his legs on a chair and a colored 
handkerchief thrown over his face. He is attired in very 
rusty evening dress, and wears the Ribbon of the Legion 
of Honor. 

Dor. (looking at the stars) How late Ihat old band's 
playing ! Some big fellow's birthday, I suppose ! WJiat a 
jolly night for sentimental soliloquy ! How beautiful tlie 
stars are ! Regular diamonds of the fir^t water ! I always 
think that the stars are hung out to encourage good girls, 
while the moon looks on and bullies the bad ones. The 
moon has such a painfully judicial air ! I believe it is in 
the pay of the English School Boards I (music ceases ; 
Croodle snores gently) I wonder whether that is the 
water I hear, running through the bridges and lapping the 
sides of the quay ! How balmy the air is— and how tight 
Milly's dresses are round the waist ! How kind of Milly to 
lend* me her swell dress, and liow hard that I should be 
squeezed in on such a heavenly night ! (she rises and comes 
into the room) Pa has dropped off ! (she walks on tip-toe 
over to CROODIJ5) Poor pa. I hope life will run smoothly 



THE MONEY SKINNER. 25 

for him for the future ! (softly) There fs so much tc^ ad- 
mire in poor old pa ! (Croodle sleepily turns up the part of 
the handkerchief covernng his mouth and mechanically 
raises his spirit flask to his lips — then replaces handker- 
chief and drops off again ivlth the flask in his handy and 
tvithout noticing Dorinda) 
Dor. {with a shudder.) Ugh! How horrid I 
Croo. (uneasily in his sleep) Double on the red, no get- 
ting out of it ! What a lot can be done by a twist of the 
wrist, by gad ! 

Dor. He is dreaming that he is back in the Rue St. 
Nicholas ! Oh ! I can't bear to think of that dreadful 
place ! Why do they leave me here ? They know how it 
frightens me to be left alone ! 

Harold enters, dressed as fn Ist Act, frov^ door r. 
His manner is excited. 

Dor. (running to him) Oh, Harold, I am so glad you 
have come. 

Har. Ah, Dollv ! Yes, I am late, but I couldn't get 
back earlier. Old Ribot has returned, Ribot the head of 
the firm, a hard-listed, hard-hearted, grasping old miser, 
and has been overhauling all the factory books, ha ! ha ! 
I have worried him, but I give up my keys to-morrow ; 
and then he can have his revenge upon me ! What's the 
matter, Dolly ? 

Dor. Notliing ! I'm nervous to-night ! Aud feel fright- 
fully off color, that's all ! 

Har. Where is Milly ? 

Dor. Dressing. 

Har. I'll send her to you. (Harold crosses to L. and 
sees Croodle) Why, your father is keeping you company. 

Dor. (returriing'to her seat on balcony) Yes, I've been 
listening to him, he's been snoring ! How jolly ! (Harold 
looks down on Croodle) 

Har. Poor old fellow I Tired, perhaps ! (sees flask in 
his hand) Confound him, at that wretched brandy again ! 
(takes flask from Croodle's hand) This is the old repro- 
bate's master ! But what a warm-hearted master I How 
different to Ribot ! Ugh ! How cold I feel ! (imts flask 
to his lips and drains it eagerly) That's good. Poor 
broken-down father-in-law ! Do as you please, this is 
Liberty Hall — till to-morrow ! (he lets the flask fall up)on 
Croodle, ivho wakes up and rubs his eyes. Harold goes 
to opening, L. Millicent comes through the curtains and 
meets him. Millicent is very prettily dressed for the 
evening) 

Mil. Harold, returned ! Has anything occurred ? 

Har. Nothing! 



2G THE MONEY SPINNEPv. 

Mil. That is good news ! Go and dress, it is half-past 
nine ! Our guests will be here soon. 

Har. What are you going to do ? What plan have you 
in your mind ? 

Mil. That is my secret I Go and dress, and, Harold, be 
happy to-night ! 

Har. Happy ! 

Mil. Yes, trust in me, and don't look at me all the 
evening ! 

Dor. {from window, r.) Is that you, Miily ? 

Mil. Yes, Dolly ! (Harold kisses Millicent and goes 
out through curtains, L. Millicent crosses over to card 
table and sits L. of it. She takes up a pack of cards ; 
Croodle has now thoroughly aivakened a7id is putting 
the flask to his lips) 

Croo. Not a drain, by gad ! And I've slept till I'm 
chilled. Wliat bad measure Margot brought. Perhaps 
the woman tipples. Ugh ! How filthy ! 

Mil. (from card table) Papa, I want you. 

Croo. {crossing to her) Yes, pet. (Millicent looks 
round • to see that Dqrinda is not listening. Dorinda is 
still on balcony, but not in sight) With your old friends 
again, Mill ? 

Mil. {letting the cards run through her hands) These ? 
Yes! 

Croo. {putting Ms forefinger on the king) Ho v/ the old 
monarch smiles on you ! he's glad to see us together again ; 
he's delighted, by gad 1 

Mil. Father, I liaven't touched the pack since I left you, 
two years ago. 

Croo. (c.) For shame, Milly, for shame ! They served 
you so well, too I {patting her head) Ah, it was a blow 
to me when I lost ye. What an ej'-e you had — what a 
wrist ! They used to say you haj^ ten fingers to each 
hand. 

Mil. Hush, father. 

Croo. Dorinda's a fool to you, a well-meaning girl, but 
an empty-headed, brainless fool ! {whimpering and wiping 
his eye) She has been a tax upon me, a drain 1 I've lost by 
her — lost by her. She was always in need of new boots 
and new gloves — with hundreds of buttons. I went down 
lower and lower when you left me. What was it the 
devils used to call you, Mill? 

Mil. I doirt know — I forget. 

Croo. Money Spinner, my pet goldfinch I Money Spin- 
ner, my lady bird. 

Mil. Oh, no ! father ! 

Croo. It's true ! You know the science. How your 
tongue used to rattle and how your eyes sparkled I The 
boobies stared at your face, and you fleeced 'em. And then 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 27 

you broke your poor old father's heart and left him alone 
with a chit of a chit who never brought in a sou and 
always grizzled for new gloves and new boots, with hun- 
dreds of buttons. 

Mil. Father, I wonder if I have forgotten tlio old trick, 
if i^i.v eyes have grown dim, and my fingers tiiick a?id 
cluuisy ? 

Groo. Not you, my cherub, not you ; it's a gift of Provi- 
dence and never leaves one. (Croodle goes round to k. of 
iahle and takes up the pack of cards) Are you going to 
play to-night, Milly ? 

Mil. Perhaps. 

Croo. What? 

Mil. If I play— ^car^^. 

Croo. Ay, Ay 1 Shall I refresli your memory, eh ? 

Mil. Father,^ 

Croo. Shall I? Eh! Shall I? 

Mil, Yes. (Croodle stands facing^ Millicent, with his 
hack to the audience. The pack he iwlds is prepared for 
the basiness) 

Croo. {taking out King &f Hearts, and holding it up) 
The King of Hearts, Mill ; I love him, he is so kind to me. 
See ! {he is supposed to replace the card, and then shuffles 
vigorously) V/ho is to have him, Mill, you or I ? 

Mil. Give it to me, father. 

Croo. Greedy girl, greedy girl I Her father's own 
child ! {he deals five cards to each — three at a time, and then 
tivo ; the King of Hearts ichich,, after shuffling, he has 'made 
the bottom card of the pack, he deals to Millicent) Show 
them, Milly, «how them ? (Millicent turns her co.rds face 
upwards, and takes from them the King, which she holds 
up) 

Croo. (r. of table) There he is ! There Jie is ! That'a 
the vv ay io deal. Mill, that's the way to deal ! 

Mil. Yes, two years ago, dad, not now ! 

DoRiNDA appears at r. loindow, and comes down to 
back of table. 

Croo. Why not now, Milly ? Only two classes of people 
are lucky at cards — the fools and the knaves. Tlie fools 
because of their blind courage, tlie knaves because of tlieir 
skill. If you are not certain that you are a fool, my child, 
take your old man's lesson to heart, and play with the 
science. 

Dor. {sternly) Now then, pn. shut up. 

Croo. Ugh ! You vulgar child. 

Dor. I know I'm vulgar — in appearance, dress, manner 
— everything. It is in my blood and it will never come 
out of it. I know I'm vulgar, but I'm going to be honest. 
How dare you say such things to Miiiicent? How dare 



28 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

vou preach your dreadful sermons to an honest man's 
wife ? 

Croo. Dear ! The way the ofTspring speaks to the author 
of her sublunary existence. Go away ! 

Dor. I will not ! 

Mil. Don't auger father, Dolly. 

Dor. I will anger him, because he angers me. Children 
are children only as long as they know no better than their 
parents ; when they do know better, the parents become 
th.eir children's children, and are to be whipped and stood 
in the corner. 

Croo. Be silent, or you'll break my heart. 

Margot e7iters door, r. , folloiced by Kengussie. Mar- 
got is in black with cap and apron. Kengussie 
in evening dress. 

Mar. Lord Kengussie ! (Margot goes out. Kengussie 
kisses DoRiNDA, and shakes hands with Milltcext) 

Ken. How are you, Dolly? {to Millicekt) How are 

you Mrs. ? Confound it, there goes the name again 1 

I had it on the stairs, {to Croodle) Good-evening, 
Baron. 

Croo. Ah ! Kengussie, you see us once more togetlier — 
three happy birds chirping in the same nest, {iciping Ms 
eye) A joretty picture, I venture to think, a pretty picture. 

Ken. {looking at Dolly) Very. 

Mil. Harold will be down directly. 

Ken. {to Dorinda) Let us look at the stairs — I mean 
stare at the stars ! (Dorinda takes his arm) Will you be 
a star-gazer, Milly ? {to Millicent) 

Dor. Boycott. 

Ken. Of course, Milly Boycott. 

Mil. Certainly, I wull. (Dorinda, Kengussie, a?^d Mil- 
licent go up to unndoti\ l. CuoomjK shakes his Jist at 
Dorinda, she looks over her shoulder, sees him, and makes 
an ugly face at him ; they go oid on balcony) 

Croo. {doivn r.c.) Let the gii-1 be careful, or I will dis- 
miss her from my affections, {laying his hand on his 
heart) I feel a vacuum here alrebidy, here — and elsewhere. 
I wonder v,^hether there is a loose sandwich or two in the 
next room ? It is my natural disposition to pre3^ {spelling 
it) P-r-e-y. I will prey upon the victuals, by gad. {he 
goes quietly out through curtains L.) 

Margot enters door, r. 

Mar. Monsieur Faubert ! 

Faubert enters in evening dress. Millicent advances 
to meet him ; they shake hands. 
Mar. {at door, looking ai Faubert) I hate him= He 



THE MONEY SPINNEB. 29 

kissed me on ze stairs, almost against my \vili. I am fifty 
years old, so it is not for love. He has a motive— wio/i 
Dieu, I do hate him. 

Mil. (ifoMARGOT) Margot, the curtains, {music. MiL- 
LICENT comes doivn ivith Faubekt. Maegot exits to l. To 
Faubert) Mr. Boycott returned so hite. He will be 
down soon. (Margot draivs the curtains from across 
opening L. The room beyond isivell lighted, and the end of 
a supper table is seen laid for supper) Here he is. 

Harold e^iters through opening in evening dress. 
Margot goes out l. 

HaR. Ah, Fanbert, very glad to see you ! Dolly— £en- 
gussie. (Kengussie comes down, followed bij Dolly ; Fau- 
bert bows to them) There's something laid in the next 
room ; on condition that nobody dignities it by the title of 
supper, I propose we go and look at it. (Millicent takes 
Kengussie's arm. Faubert bows to Dorinda ; she takes 
his arm, tJiey go laughing and chatting through theojjemng, 
L.^ followed by Harold. Margot appears l., droxjs the 
curtains, then retires, l. ) 

Afte^r a pause Croodle enters through the curtains, 
irifh a sandwich in one hand and a claw of lobster in 
the other. 

Croo. I can't stand that Frerichraan's eye, the fellow 
has a look tliat would open an oyster, {he sits on ottoman, 
L. There is a burst of laughter from further room. Eating) 
TJiey are getting on tolerably well without me. (Margot 
cames from L. carrying a tray towards r.; Croodle stops 
her) Be good enough to fetch me the least drop of brandy. 
Stay, bring tlie decanter and I'll measure it m}^self. 

Mar. Yes, I will, {she goes through the curtains off, l.) 

Croo. Hov/ men can eat without drinking I never can 
understand I The idea, to me, is dog-like, and revolting. 
(Margot returning with decanter and glass on tray. 
Croodle takes decanter, removes stop>per, sniffs the con- 
tents) 

]\f AR. (holding out glass to him) Ze glass. 

Croo. No, thank you. I have all I require ! (Margot 
jtoints to the decanter and pantomimes, by raising her hand 
to her mouth, that she knows he will drink out of it) 

Mar. Oh ! \''es, I see ! Bravo ! A very good idea J 
Ha ! ha ! {she goes out, r. ) 

Croo. What is the matter with the woman, I wonder ? 
I suppose I have noticed her beyond the requirements of 
her station. Vanity t Vanity I {lie takes out his flask 
frmn his x>odoet and commences to fill it from the decanter) 



30 THE MOKEY SPINN^ER. 

MiLLiCENT and KEi^Qvssm enter from L. and stroll over 
to window, R. not observing Ckoodle. 

Mil. It is too warm there. 

Ken. It does suggest the tropics. 

Mil. Oil, what a delicious breeze ! (they stand looking 
out of window, r, Croodle sees them, and zvhile their backs 
are turned sneaks off with the Jlask and decanter out of 
window, li. He gets lietween the two ivindows out of sight, 
MiLLiCENT and Kengussie turn down stage, R.) 

Ken. (down r. c. by table) Here are the cards. Shall we 
play ? 

Mil. (coming down, falteringhj) Do you— do you wish 
to play ? 
, Ken. I should like to, for the sake of old times. 

BIiL. We'll plav, then — for the sake of old times. (MiL- 
lice;^^t sits R. of table. Kengussie faces her, Dorinda 
appears 1.. , and looks at them. They do not observe her) 
Face to face— once more— two old enemies. 

Ken. Two old friends. 

Mil. Is there friendship at cards ? Did you read that 
a brother and sister — twins — stabbed each other at the St. 
Sever last week, over a game of faro ? 

Ken. What a warning to all twins ! 

Mil. Are you ready ? 

Ken. For you to stab? 

Mil. For me to cut— same thing, (they cut the cards) 

Ken. Our old stakes? 

Mil. If you please, or double them. Two years' rest 
makes one reckless. 

Ken. Double them. (Millicent deals) 

Ken. Why, how your hand trembles ! 

Mil. The air is so warm here. Don't notice me : it is 
nothing, (they play as at Ecarte. Kengussie marks the 
king) 

Dor. (watching from L.) I made up my mind in the 
railway carriage, when we were leaving Paris, that I 
wouldn't be jealous, and 1 thought I was as firm as a rock. 
But, oh ! I have such a sickening sensation at my heart 
when I see them together ! 

Ken. Why, you are positively allowing nie to win. I 
shall be proud of my skill after to-night. 

Mil. (faintly) I promised you your revenge, (aside) 
I can't play to-night, (pnttiiig her hand to her head) I 
think I am going mad. Oh, Harold ! Harold ! 

Ken. (to Millicent) Coupez. (marks. Millicent cuts 
cards. Kengussie deals) 

Dor. What are you playing, Kengussie ? 

Ken. Ecarte. 

Dor. (going up to piano) Two are company. Three are 
none. 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 31 

Mil. (to Kengcssie) Je propose. 

Ke]S . Combien ? 

Mil. Trois. (Millicent discards. Kengussie re- 
deals) 

Dor. (as'ide) How wrong of Bliih' to allow Ronald to 
play. He is such a fool at a card tablo. (to Kengussie, 
coming doivn c.) Ronald! (Kengussie does not lieaVy 
Millicent plays a card) 

Ken. {triiimpliantly playing a card) Le roi. 

Mil. Ah! 

Dor. Good gracious ! Ronald is winning ! 

Ken. Fortune smiles on me. I kiss my hand to fortune, 
for she is a woman. 



Faubert and Hajiold enter from l., smoking cigarettes 
and chaffing. Harold sits, l. 

Dor. (starting to l.) Monsieur Faubert ! 

Fau. {advancing to her) Miss Croodle ? 

Dor. I'm a cigarette smoker. (Faubert takes out 
cigarette case) Isn't it horrid in a woman ? 

Fau. Not at all. (gives one and lights it by his) 

Dor. (aside) I'll do anything to annoy Ronald to-night. 
He makes me mad. (jmu'se) 

Mil. (reprovingly) Dorinda ! What are you doing ? 

Dor. Enjoying myself. 

Ken. (turning towards her) I say, Dorinda— you know 
I hate that. 

Dor. Thanks ; but we are not particularly intent upon 
pleasing each other to-night, {she goes up to L. window 
and sits) 

Har. (^o Faubert, l.) Do you bet? 

Fau. Never. 

Ken. (over liis shoidder, to Harold) I am enjoying my 
revenge for long ago. You'll never believe it — I'm the 
poorest plaver in the world— and I triumph ! 

Dor. (from tvindon') Harold, I want you. (Harold 
joins Doeinda, and sits) 

Fau. (aside) Madame seems disturbed, (crosses to R.) 

Mil. (throwing down cards) Ah ! what frightful 111- 

Ken. Poor Millicent ! (Millicent tears a leaf from the 
pocket-book, and writes on it an I. O. U., and gives it to 
Kengussie) 

Mil. a thousand francs, (aside) My only hope is 
going from me. We are lost ! 

Ken. Thanks. Are you tired ? 

Mil. (rousing herself) Not I ! I'll play till I vanquish 
you. Tired ! Double tlie stakes ! (Millicent Hngs the 



33 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

bell, which stands on card table, lliere is a crash of brO' 
hen glass heard from outside ivindoic) 

Dor. Good gracious I ) 

Har. What is that ? V (Spoken together.) 

Mil. It is that careless Margot. ) 

Ken. What the deuce 

Croodle enters uneasily throu'gh zcindow, l. 

Croo. Don't be alarmed, my children. A window in 
the neighborhood, I think. Nothing more serious. 
Dor. I didn't know you were there, papa. 

Marqot enters from B,. 

Mar. Yes, madame ? 

Mil. Cards, Margot— -quick ! 

Mar. Yes, madame. - (Mawgot crosses to opening, l. 
As she is leaving. Croodle pulls the skirt of her dress) 

Croo. (aside to Margot) Margot, my dear» I've had a 
trifling mishap with the decanter. You'll find it in the 
court below. (Margot laughs) Don't laugh, you vixen ! 
Don't laugh ! (Margot laughs, and goes out, ij.,foUoiced 
by Croodle) 

Fau. (bad: of table, to Millicent) Does madame often 
play Ecarte ? 

Mil. No — not now. 

Fau. Madame is wise, for the stakes are high, and for- 
tune is her enemy. 

Mil. Yes. 

Ken. (to Faubert) You will see ; luck will change. 

Mil. (staring forivard) Perhaps. (Faubert goes to 
desk, R., takes up book, and stands uxitching) 

Margot re-enters, carrying a tray on which arc tim 
packs of cards, a sypJwn, a smali decanter of brandy 
and soda-water glass. 

Mar. (to Millicent) Ze cards for Ecarte, madnm^e. 
(Millicent takes cards, giving the tiro old packs to Mar- 
got. Kengussie jjours himself out a soda and brandy. 
Margot then ivithdraivs, r.) 

Mil. (taking a fresh pack) Coupez. (they cut. Milli- 
cent deals — as slie docs so, a cardfcdls unnoticed from the 
pack, and lies at her feet. Faubert is r. hy desk; he sees 
the card upon the ground, is about to call attention to it — 
but restrains himself) 

Ken. (playing a card) I play, (they play, Faubert 
watches them) 

Ken. (taking a trick) Ah ! 

Mil. (aside) 1 must win—I must win ! (Kengussie 
plai/9 a-gaifi — Millicent covers kis card— he t^xJcGS tho trick) 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 33 

Ken. (triumpJiantly) Another! 

Mil. (aside) Ruin! 

Ken. (pto?/s) Un grand coup! (Kengussie raises his 
glass, and drinks to Millicent) 
cf^Ti "^^ ^^ victim. (Millicent 6o26's— Kengussie 

Mil. (aside) If he only knew what to-morrow will brin^ 
me I (attJiis moment Dorinda from up tJie stage laughs 
loudly. Kengussie looJcs round— as he does so, Millicent 
discovers the card at her feet, and picks it up) 

Mil. (aside) Ah ! the very card ! (she plays it quichlv, 
thrustmq one of the cards she holds in her hand into her 
pocket) Voila ! 

Ken. (looks round) By Jove ! the luck has turned. 
Mil. Kengussie — Ronald ! 
Ken. Yes? 

Mil. I . . nothing, (aside) What have I done ? What 
have I done ? 

Ken. Your play, Milly. (they co7itinue the play— F av- 
BERT crosses to c, eyeing them) 

Fau. (aside) Ah, I thouglit Madame Boycott's luck 
would change . . . she turns the table on the fool of a 
fecotch lord. Grognon, will you be fooled too by pretty 
Madame Boycott? How do I stand? ... My friend 
Boycott IS sorely in need of money, and to-morrow should 
tall into my hands. I cannot spare him— I am too proud 
of my glorious, my useful, profession, to let him slip now 
... I must have my friend Boycott. 

Ken. (throwing down cards) Fortune deserts me. (he 
tears up Millicent's /. O. C7., then takes notes from pocket- 
book, andpusJies them to Millicent) 

Ken. Your game. A thousand francs— again— we '11 
make a night of it. 

Fav. (aside) A thousand francs out of ten, and Madame 
Boycotts luck returned! (sits on chair, l.) If Madame 
Boycott wins ten thousand franc* from Lord Kengussie 
to-night my friend Boycott meets his liabilities to-morrow, 
and I lose my pretty little case. I cannot spare my friend 
Boycott. I will warn the fool of a Scotch lord, (he takes 
out a poclcet-hook tears a leaf from it, and writes, Dorinda 
rises) 

Dor. (to Harold) What feverish verses you used to 
send to Milly in your courting davs ? 
Har. (by her side) Did I ? 

Dor. (coming into room) Do you remember some lines 
you begged me to lay upon her pillow— the night you 
thought she had thrown you over ? She had had a bilious 
attack, and wouldn't see you. 

Har. I remember Milly's illness— I don't remember the 
verses. 

3 LofC. 



34 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Dor. / do. She took them with a Seidlitz powder. They 
began :— 

'* My fate is cursed if I do live without thee, 
To-day — to-morrow. 
Bind but a single golden raven auburn hair about me, 
And I must follow ! " 

I forget the rest, {she plays an air softlij on tlie piano. 
Pause. Faubert moves deliberately over to Kengussie ivho 
is playing intently, and lays the little note before him on the 
table) 

Fau. Pardon me, Lord Kengussie—that is a nice method 
of marking at Ecarte — read it. 

Ken. {absently— not looking up) Thank you, (Faubert 
returns to sofa. Kengussie plays a card) 

Ken. Stop ! I didn't intend to play that ! 

Mil. Too late! 

Ken. {throwing down his cards) Once more. I thought 
Fortune was only flirting with me. Again, {they cut 
cards. Millicent commences to deal. Kengussie picks 
up Faubert's note) 

Ken. What is this? {he reads) I don't quite compre- 
hend—who placed this upon the table. 

Mil. Monsieur Faubert, did he not ? What is the matter ? 

Ken. {aside, reading the note again) Great heavens 1 I 
can't — I ivon^t — believe it ! 

Mil. Kengussie, what ails you ? 

Ken. {looking at her fixedly ) You have made a mis- 
take in your play. 

Mil. a mistake? 

Ken. You know it. I can read that you know it in 
your face. I will play no more. 

Mil. What do you mean ? Why do you look at me like 
that? 

Ken. {raises his glass to his lips anddixiinsit. Looking 
at paper) I mean that I believe what is written here. I'll 
play no more, {he is about to rise ; she seizes his arm) 

Mil. Show me that paper. 

Ken. I will not. 

Mil. Show me that paper ! 

Ken. I cannot. 

Mil. Lord Kengussie — Ronald— give it me, please, {he 
slojrly hands it to her) 

Ken. Tell me, what am I to think ? {she reads it quickly) 

]\IiL. {with a stifled cry) Oh ! 

Ken. Is it false— or true ? 

Mil. Don't speak to me so harshly ! {pushing the notes 
towards him) Take them away from me, take them 
away! 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 35 

Ken. Is it false or true ? 

Mil. Ronald — I — it — is. {throwing Faubert's note to 
Kengussie) Believe every word of it, if you care to. (her 
head drops upon the table; she cries bitterly. Dorinda 
ceases playing. Harold turns) 

Har. Millicent ! (Kengussie nses, and flings the cards 
to the ground) 

Ken. (r. c.) You are too clever for me here, and fool 
me on all sides. 

Har. (c.) What is the meaning of this, Lord Kengussie ? 

Ken. It means, Mr.— I am rude enough to forget 
your name for the moment — that I am about to quit your 
house with a settled determination to enter it again on no 
account whatever. 

Har. Thank you— as you please. 

Ken. And that I do not exactly sympathize with the 
constitution of a household into which a man is lured as a 
guest to be cheated at play. (Dorinda comes from piano 
to Millicent) 

Har. (fiercely) Cheated ! 

Ken. I repeat, sir, cheated. 

Dor. (to Millicent) You're a good sister, to rob the man 
I am to marry. Don't you think I am low enough in his 
eyes as it is, without you degrading me still more ? 

Mil. (to Dorinda) Oh, Dolly, have pity. 

Har. You shall prove your accusation, Lord Ken- 
gussie. 

Ken. I say, do vou really think that to your advan- 
tage? 

Croodle enters through curtains, l. 

Croo. (L. C. ) What is it ? Is there anything in dispute, 
children ? Any little point at cards that papa can settle ? 

Dor. That's right, father. See your girls now. See 
what your sermons have brought them to, 

Croo. Ugh 1 You ungrateful child. 

Har. (to Kengussie) You are not now in Scotland, my 
lord ; you must answer to me for your language. 

Ken. Certainly, (pointing to Faubert, ivho is seated 
quietly on ottoman, L. ) In company with that gentleman — 
rise— the writer of that note. (Faubert rises calmly) 

Har. Let me see that paper ? 

Ken. (giving Faubert's note to Harold) By all means. 

Fau. (quickly) It is marked "Private." Perhaps I do 
not understand the Scotch etiquette in reference to a pri- 
vate communication. 

Ken. (haughtily) In Scotland, sir, two persons are neces- 
sary to an agreement. I am under no obligation to you to 
share alone the advantages of your ingenious discoveries. 
(Faubert inclines his head) 



36 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Har. (reads) "Remember that the lady to whom you 
are at this moment losing your money is the daughter of a 
notorious blackleg. (Croodle goes up stage) Remember, 
also, that she was known in Paris, in the Rue St. Nicholas, 
by the sobricjuet of ' The Money Spinner.' Play if you 
choose ; she is cheating you." {to Kengussie, pointing at 
Faubert.) This man, my lord, for the last week, or 
longer, has fastened himself upon me and sought my com- 
panionship. To-night he is my guest — accepting my hos- 
pitality, {approaeliing Faubert) Jules Faubert— you dog ! 
{he stjnkes Faxjbert upon the breast. Faubert rouses 
himself for a moment as if about to return the bloWy 
then regains his composure, and remains perfectly still) 

Croo. (up stage) Son-in-law, don't be hasty, don't be 
hasty. 

Dor. You don't know who your precious friend is — I 
do — and I can tell you. 

Croo. Dorinda! 

Dor. That man's name is not Faubert, he is Pierre 
Grognon, a detective in the Parisian police. (Croodle 
hastily goes out) 

Har. (starting hack) Oh, what have I done ! 

Mil. (rising) Harold. 

Ken. (to Faubert) Monsieur — whatever your name may 
be— tell me, have I indeed the honor of meeting a dis- 
tinguished officer of the Parisian police ? 

Fau. It is true. I am (proudly) Pierre Grognon. 

Har. What do you here ? 

Fau. Since I am known I need no longer conceal my 
mission. I am watching Mr. Harold Boycott, a clerk in 
Ribot's factory, w^ho is suspected by his employer of — a 
crime. (Harold si7iks on seat at piano and covers his 
face with his hands) 

Ken. a crime ? 

Mil. And you have grasped my husband's hand under 
the mask of friendship with this in your heart, (slw 
e-lts, R.) 

Fau. Madame, we fulfil our useful offices under many 
guises ; it is one of the most sublime offices of friendship 
that it can be employed for the iDurposes of detection of 
crime. IMonsieur Ribot requested that I should keep my 
eye upon Mr. Harold Boycott, whose strength of mind he 
misti-usted, and I have carried out my instructions to the 
letter. The task would have been a painful one to so 
sensitive a man as myself had it not consoled me with the 
society of Madame Boycott. 

Ken. I do not doubt, sir, that you have performed 
expediently your most miserable duty, (advancing to 
him) May I ask you, as a personal favor, that you will 
step outside that door (pointing io R.), and remain there 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 37 

(looking at watch) for about a quarter of an hour (goes to 
doors, R.), as far away from the keyhole as is consistent 
with your habits and your employer's instructions ? 

Fau. I am liappy in being able to oblige you ! (goes to 
doors, R. and then turns) Shall I have an opportunity of 
paying my adieux to your lordship ? 

Ken. I shall doubtless require to see you again. 

F^u. In any case I shall consider it my duty not to be 
far away from this spot until to-morrow, (ivith a how he 
goes out through doors, R., closing them carefully after him. 
Kengussie goes to LIillicent, who is dmun r, Doeinda 
eyes them) 

Ken. Millicent. 

Mil. Yes. 

Ken. I want to speak to you alone. (Dorinda, overhear- 
ing, quietly goes on to balcony througli window, it., unper- 
ceived) 

Mil, You see how wretched — how humiliated I am I 
What more do you wish to Bay to me ? 

Ken. I must speak to you alone. (Millicent li^es and 
goes to Harold, ivho is seated at piano) 

Mil. (Jo Harold) I liave some explanation to give to 
Lord Kengussie, Harold , will you leave us ? (Harold rises, 
kisses Millicent's hand and goes to L.) 

Har, (at curtains, to Kengussie) Lord Kengussie, of 
course, does not intend to quit this house without my 
knowledge? (he goes out, L. Millicent comes down to 
ottoman, L., and sits. Kengussie looks around tlie room 
and appears satisfied that they are alo'iie) 

Mil, What have you to say to me ? 

Ken. (calmly) My dear Millicent. 

Mil. My husband's name is Boycott, Lord Kengussie. 

Ken. Thank you — you know niy failing. My dear Mrs. 
Boycott, I did to-night, for the first time in my life, within 
my remembrance, lose control over my temper. 

'Mil. "Well? 

Ken. Well, ray dear Mrs. Boycott — I knew I should get 
the name — the consequences are so serious to mo as to in- 
duce me to hope most fervently that such an occurrence 
will never repeat itself. 

Mil. Wliat is this to me ? 

Ken. It may be of interest to you, inasmuch as it ex- 
plains my foolish outburst at dropping a few hundred 
francs at that card table. 

Mil. (eagerly) You don't believe, then, what that letter 
told you — you don't believe that I cheated you at cards? 

Ken. (very quietly) Yes. I do. Upon my honor. (MiL- 
UCENT sinks back again. Kengussie takes a chair and sits, 
c) Understand the reason of my annoyance. lam an- 
noyed, not because I am cheated at cards, but beciWise I 



38 THE MONEY SPIXXER. 

was 60 weak as to imagine that such a simple fool as my- 
self could ever be anything to a pretty woman but a toy 
and a pastime. 

Mil. You don't know. You don't understand. 

Ken. {lighting a cigarette) I do know, and I do under- 
stand that I should have read long since the true character 
of the girl who, two years ago, cheated me at love as 
lightly as she to-night cheated me at plaj'^ — who ^von from 
me then a heart, which was of value to me, as easily as she 
wins now the wretched money, which I despise. 

Mil. {rising) Have pity on me ! Have pity on me ! 

Ken. {rising and replacing Iiis chair) Oh ! if we are to 
indulge in sentiment, it is I w!io deserve some pity. When 
I met you years ago, I cast aside all prejudices, all conA'-en- 
tionalities of opinion. I knew you to be (pardon my plain- 
ness) the daughter of a sharper — an English adventurer, 
whose name reeked with ill-odor in Florence, Monaco, 
and Brussels, and who had been driven to an obscure 
quarter of Paris to eke out a miserable existence w^ith the 
aid of his two children — his decoys. 

Mil. This is unmanly of you— this is cruel. 

Ken. But a woman once loved by a man becomes in his 
mind a something apart from ail other women ; much 
higlier, or much lower. I never considered your origin — 
to me you were as the highest lady in the land. And when 
you discarded me I had no hard name for you. but thought 
sadly of myself as of a poor fellow who lacked the qualities 
which win the love of a good, pure girl. 

Mil. {laying her head upon his arm) Oh ! hear me for 
a moment. 

Ken. {taking his arm from ker) A moment, and I shall 
have finished. This morning I came to you, the promised 
husband of your sister — poor Dolly. I can never give 
Dolly the affection I gave you, and she guesses it ; but she 
knows, and you know, that I am an honest man, and will 
do my duty. I loved Dolly because at odd times her voice 
had the ring of yours, and her eyes the brightness of 
yours. 

Mil. I won't hear you speak any more ; you — you torture 
me! 

Ken, I have done. I merely wish to put one question to 
you. Don't you think you did wrong to make a fool of me 
at Ecarte ? Don't you^ think I merited something less or 
something more ? That perhaps I deserved at your hands 
something better? {he sits, R. c, smoking his cigarette. 
MiLLiCENT comes to him slowly, and lays her hand upon his 
shoulder) 

Mil. Ronald, I did cheat you at the cards ! [he inclines 
his head in assent) I was tempted sorely. You heard what 
that man Grognon said — that he had been employed by 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 39 

Monsieur Ribot, the head of my Harold's firm, to watch 
him? 

Ken. Yes. (risiiig) I beg your pardon, won't you sit 
down? 

Mil. {kneeling quickly) No, let me kneel. I will tell 
you everything. Harold has used moneys which do not 
belong to him for investment in London — not with dis- 
lionest intent, believe me. He thought to repay the money 
b, fore the return of his absent employers to Rouen, but 
liiy London scheme failed, and all our savings are gone, 
and we are penniless. Harold had no idea that he was 
suspected ; he is to hand over his books and accounts to- 
morrow, and is in desperate need of ten thousand francs 
to save himself and his wife from ruin. I meant to win 
ten thousand francs from you at play, and, Heaven forgive 
me, I meant to do it dishonestly, (Kei>gus$ie sits and 
takes her hand) 

Ken. Milly, why did you not give me the confidence 
which, from a woman I once loved, I should have esteemed 
an honor ? Why did you not come to me and say, " I can 
speak to you as I can speak to no other man in the world 
besides my husband. I am in distress, will you help me ? " 
Milly, why did you not trust me ? 

l^IiL. Because I was too great a coward to beg of the man 
whom two years ago I cast off without a word of synipathy 
or kindness ; because there is bad blood in me, and I am a 
cheat by nature ; because, to women trained as I have 
been, it is so much easier to sin. (Dorinda, iclio has been 
listening at intervals, comes from balcony throttgh iviudoiv, 
L.) 

Ken. (rising and raising Millicent) My dear little 
friend, I find that I Imve been mistaken. I know nothing 
of women. I am a bigger fool than I thought. (Dorinda 
comes down and pvts her arm round Millicent's waist) 

Dor. {on Millicent's l.) Oli, Milly, dear, I shall never 
forgive myself for having been angry with you. 

Mil. Dolly! 

Dor. {iHping her eyes) I was jealous of you, Milly, and 
I've been listening. I never guessed that you were over 
head and heels in trouble, and I am ashamed of myself, 
dear, I am indeed. 

Ken. My dear Dorinda, it is not considered usual, I may 
remark, for a young lady to play the eavesdropper. 

Dor. Yes ; 1 know that folks in your station are in the 
habit of drawing the line somewhere. I'm not well-bred 
enough to know where the line is to be drawn, and I'm not 
squeamish, {advancing, C, to Kengussie) Look here, 
Kengussie ; you've been making some very disrespectful 
observations about my pa. He's not so good" and not so bad 
as other people's pa's, but I owe him the luxury of being 



40 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

here at this moment, and that's all I care about. Now, 
don't you tlihik you had better go and leave us to share 
our troubles amongst us ? I shall stick to Miliiceut as long 
as I have breath in my body — and you and me, I don't 
think we mix well. 

Ken, Dolly, dear, you must give me another chance ! 
(he holds out his hand to Millicent ; she talrs it) Miily, 
it is very womanly to be very weak, and the weakness of 
woman deserves,* I have been taught, nothing but the 
most respectful sympathy. I never thought higher of you 
than I do at this moment. Forgive me for every harsh 
thing I have said and done 1 

Mil. I need forgiveness. I have nothing to forgive. 

Ken. We will not argue that point. Dolly, oblige me 

by calling your father and Mr. there goes the name 

again— and'^Milly's liusband. (Dorinda goes off, L. , quickly, 
Kengussie crosses to table, E., and rings bell) 

Mil. Oh, Lord Kengussie, what must you think of me ? 

Ken. (leading her to ottoman) I think that your tears 
distress me beyond measure, and I think I know that if 
you had honoured me by becoming my wife, you would, 
had there been such miserable need, have suffered as much 
for my sake as you are now suffering for my friend, your 
husband. 

Margot enters doors, R, 

Mar. Did madame ring ? 

Ken. (crosses to Margot) There is a gentleman waiting 
for me, is there not '? Monsieur I forget his name ? 

Mar. (looking at Kengussie) A gentleman wiz hair like 
my lord. 

'Ken. (diseoncertcd) Well, I should have hardly thought 

however, that's the man. Will vou ask liim to come 

up ? 

Mar. (Jerking thumb fmvards doors, n.) Ha! He is sit- 
ting on ze stairs outside. 

Ken. Is he ? I hope he has caught a very severe cold. 
(Margot lauglus and clajDs her hands and goes off, r.) 

Harold enters, l., followed by Croodle and Dorinda. 
DoRHsDK joins Millicent on ottoman. 

Ken. (taking Harold's hand) Mr.— um— Millicent's 
liusband, I want you to allow an old acquaintance to put 
himself right v.ith you. I want you to forgive my almost 
unpardonable rudeness. 

Har. Lord Kengussie. 

Ken. Will you do me the kindness to consider me your 
friend ? 

Hak. There is a cloud hanging over me — a black ooe. 
You have yet to learn the story of my folly. 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 41 

Ken. I know everything. I i5:now now that you are a 
man in great trouble, and I offer you my sincere sym- 
pathy. 

HaIr. Thank you from my heart. 

Ken. And more than this, I demand a right — the rigiit 
to liolp you in^^our difficulties by all means in my power, 
1 have long liad a predilection for commerce ; will you con- 
sider me your banker ? 

Har. Lord Kengussie — I 

Ken. Hush ! You are under no obligations to me. You 
are in a scrape to-day. I may be in one to-morrow. It 
will then be your right to help me, and I shall not fail to 
seek you. ('Croodle presses forward and seizes Ken- 
gussie's hand) 

Croo. My dear Kengussie, any q^uestion as to your 
eligibility for tlie position of my son-m-lawl now consider 
removed. I may have had my doubts, but I am sure it 
will ease your niind when I tell you that your present 
rnanly conduct thoroughly convinces me that you are a — 
gentlemati 1 

Margot enters, followed by Faubert. 

Mar. Monsieur Faubert. (Margot scoids at Faubert 
as he enters and wipes her lips lotth her apron. Aside) He 
has done it once more, mon Dieu. How I do hate him. 
{goes out, r.) 

Ken. {to Faubert) I am sorry to liave detained you, 
pardon me. You can now. however, go home to bed. 

Fau. My duty to Monsieur Ribot ? 

Ken. You can perform, as you have said, to the very 
letter. But let me satisfy your mind upon one point. Let 
me tell you,. sir, that my friend {pointing to Harold) has 
incurred no liability to his employers that he will not be 
able to meet to-morrow to the fullest extent. 

Fau. I congratulate Mr. Boycott. 

Ken. For your metliod of marking at Ecarte, I thank 
you ; but understand me, I prefer, and shall adhere, to 
the old system. (Faubert bows ; Kengussie advances be- 
hind him, and touches his arm ; quietly) If you have a 
grain of manhood in you, do not breathe a word against 
the lady who has to-night equally honored you and me by 
condescending to be our hostess. I have influence in Paris 
—you understand me ? 

Fau. Perfectly. 

Ken. I shall probably have occasion to see you to-mor- 
row morning, {giving his card) Hotel d'Angi"eterre~be 
with me at ten o'clock, {he takes from his chain a hand- 
some hunting tvatch) Don't be late, {giving watch to Fau- 
bert) don't be late ; that is an excellent timekeeper, let it 
remind you of our appointment. Good-night. 



42 THE MONEY SPINNER. 

Fau. (pockets the watch, goes to door, then turns, inclin- 
iiu} his head to Millicent and Dorinda) Madame — niade- 
luoiselle, adieu ! Mr. Boycott— Baron — adieu ! Ha ! I 
do not receive one word — one token. May 1 beg yoiir con- 
sideration ? (looks at Harold) I have been struck to- 
night upon the face. When you all speak and think 
against me, count in my favor what I suffer in the kiiowl- 
e<ige that it is my duty alone that forbids me to return 
that blow, (to Kengussie) Au revoir ! (Dorinda runs 
over to Kengussie and throics her arms around him) 

Dor. Oh, Ronald, you are too good to me. But I'll try 
to be a nice girl, for your sake ! I v/on't smoke another 
cigarette, and I'll never talk slang ; and when you see me 
again, you shall find me a regular tip-top lady. 

Croo. Dorinda, this is very humiliating for your father. 

Ken. Ah, Dolly ! when you learn all my faults you'll 
discover what a good little soul you are. 

Margot enters, R. , ivith Kengussie's overcoat and hat. 

Mar. My lord's coat and hat. Tlie red-headed gentle- 
mnn said I was to bring them up. 

Ken. Confound his impudence ! (he takes them from 
I^Targot and gives her some silver) Thank you. (Margot 
goes out) Good-night, Baron. 

Croo. (advances and shakes hands) Be careful of the 
night air, my boy ! I don't think a drop of brandy would 
do you any harni. (beamingly) After our sad excitement, 
I don't think a drop of brandy would do any of us any 
harm. 

Ken. No, thanks. ( Dorinda assists Kengussie to put on 
his coat. Croodee retires and strolls out through curtains, 
L. Harold advances and takes Kengussie's hand) 

Har. (to Kengussie) I must seek some other oppor- 
tunity to tell you what I think— what I feel. 

Ken. Nonsense. We shall meet to-morrow. I shall 
delay my departure till you are quite through your diffi- 
culties—and, by the bye, old friend, you and this interest- 
ing little city must part company. You must consider my 
little influence in England quite at your service. (Harold 
grasps Kengussie's hand and then turns up stage, l.) 

Dor. I'll see you downstairs, Ronald, if you promise not 
to kiss me. 

Ken. I promise. 

Dor. (indignantly) Well I I never ! (the air of " Auld 
Lang Syne "' is played very feelingly. Kengussie ad- 
vances, c., foivards Millicent, thho is seated on ottoman, l.) 

Ken. I am going, Milly. (she ibises amd comes slowly to 
him ; he takes Iter hand) Good-night. 

Mil., (hanging her Jiead) Don't say anything to me. I 
can't bear it. 



THE MONEY SPINNER. 45 

Ken. {to Harold) I say— er— um— Milly's husband t 

Har. {turning round) I beg pardon. 

Ken. May I claim the privilege of an old friend and a 
future brother ? , . , . . 

Har. {ivithasmile) Of course. (BoRmDX, who ts listen- 
inn, hides her face ivith her arm so that she may not see 
Kengussie and Millicent. KENrxUSSiE takes Millicent s 
hand and kisses her upon the forehead) 

Ken. ((7me% fo Millicent) For auld lang syne, (Ken- 
gussie goes up to Dorinda at door, r. Croodle ar)pears 
in opening, h., with a ivineglass in his hand, drinking to 
Kengussie, The music sivells as tJie curtain falls) 

Curtain. 



DEC 18 1900 



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388 Adrienne 
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390 Uncle 

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392 Not Such a Fool 



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398 Leah 

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400 Lost in London 

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405 Dreams 

406 M. P. 

407 War 

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413 Confidential Clerk 

414 Snowball 

415 Our Regiment 

416 Married for Money 
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Parlor Pantomimes 

Pieces of Pleasantry 

Poems for Recitations 

Pl.ays for Male Characters only 

Round Games 

Scenery 

Scriptural and Historical Drama* 

Sensation Dramas 

Serio-Comic Dramas 

Shadow Pantomimes 

Shakespeare's Plays for Amateurs 

Shakespeare's Plays 

Stanley's Dwarfs 

Spirit Gum 

Tableaux Vivants 

Talma Actor's Art 

Temperance Plays 

Vocal Music of Shakespeare's Plays 

Webster's Acting Edition 

Wigs, etc. 



{French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) 



Love 

■ etter 



VOL. XLII. 

329 As Like as Two Peas 

330 Presumptive Evidence 

331 Happy Band 

332 Pinafore 

333 Mock Trial 

334 My Uncle's Will 

335 Happv ('air 

336 My Turn Next 



VOL. XLIII. 
337 Sunset 
.338 For Half a Million 

339 Cuble Car 

340 Early Bird 
.341 Alumni I 'lav 
34-.' Show of Hands 

343 Barbara 

344 Who's Who 



VOL. XLIV. 
:«5 Who's To Win Him 

346 Which is Which 

347 Cup of Tea 

.348 Sarah's Young Man 

349 Hearts 

350 In Honor Bound [Law 

351 Freezing a Mother-in- 

352 My Lord in Livery 



M. FRENC^i, 26 West 22d St., New York City. 



nd Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



FRENCH'S MINOR 

Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volt 



VOL. I. 

The Irish Attorney 
Boots at the Swan 
How to Pay the Rent 
The Loan of a Lover 
The Dead Shot 
His Last Legs 
The Invisible Prince 
The Gol.len Farmer 

VOL. II. 
Fride of the Market 
Used Un 
The Irish Tutor 
The Barrack Room 
Luke the Laborer 
Beauty and the Beast 
St. Pa'trick's Eve 
Captain of the Watch 

VOL. III. 
The Secret [pers 

White Horse of the Pep- 
The Jacobite 
The Bottle 
Box and Cox 
Bamboozling 
Widow's Victim 
Robert Macaire 

VOL. IV. 
Secret Service 
Omnibus 
Irish Lion 
Maid of Croissy 
The Old Guard 
Raising the Wind 
Slasher and Cr.^sher 
Naval Engsgements 

Cocknies in California 
Who Speaks First 
Bombastes Furioso 
Macbeth Travestie 
Irish Ambassador 
Delicate Ground 
The Weathercock [Gold 
All that Glitters Is Not 

VOL. VL 
Grimshaw, Bagshaw and 

Bradsliaw 
Rough Diamond 
Bloomer Costume 
Two Bonnycastles 
Born to Good Luck 
Kiss in the Dark [jnrer 
'Twould Puzzle a Con- 
Kill or Cure 

VOL. vn. 

Box and Cox Married and 
St. Cupid [Settled 

Go-to-bed Tom 
The Lawyers 
Jack Sheppard 
The Toodles 
The Mobcap 
Ladies Beware 

VOL. vin. 
Morning Call 
Popping the Question 
Deaf as a Post 
New Footman 
Pleasant Neighbor 
Paddy the Piper 
Brian O'Linn 
Irish Assurance 
VOL. IX. 
Temptation 
Paddy Carey 
Two Gregories 
King Charming 
Po-ca-hon-tas 
Clockmaker's Hat 
Married Rake 
Love and Murder 

VOL. X. 
Ireland and America 
Pretty Piece of Business 
Irish "Broom-maker 
To Paris and Back for 

Five Pounds 
Thit Blessed Baby 
Our Gal 
Swiss Cottage 
Young Widow • 



VOL. XI. I VOL. 2 

81 O'Flanniganand the Fai-i 161 Promotion 

82 Irish Post [ries " ' " ' 

83 Mv Neighbor's Wife 

84 Irish Tiger 

85 P. P., or Man and Tiger 

86 To Oblige Benson 

87 State Secrets 

88 Irish Yankee 

VOL. xn. 

89 A Good Fellow 

90 Cherry and Fair Star 

91 Gale Breezely 

92 Our Jemimy 

93 Miller's Maid 

94 Awkward Arrival 

95 Crossing the Line 

96 Conjugal Lesson 




VOL. XIII. 

97 My Wife's Mirror 

98 Life in New York 

99 Middy Ashore 

100 Crown Prince 

101 Two Quenns 

102 Thumping Legacy 

103 Unfinished Gentleman 

104 House Dog 

VOL. XIV. 

105 The Demon Lover 

106 JIatrimony 

107 In and Out of Place 

108 I Dine with My Mother 

109 Hi-a-wa-tha 

110 Andy Blake 

111 Love in '76 [tie? 

112 Romance under Difflcul- 

VOL. XV. 

113 One Coat for V Suits 

114 A Decided Case 

115 Daughter [noritv 

116 No; or, the Glorious Mi- 

117 Coroner's Inquisition 

118 Love in Humble Life 

119 Family Jars 

120 Personation 

VOL. XVI. 

121 Children in the Wood 

122 Winning a Husband 

123 Dav After the Fair 

124 Make Your Wills 

125 Rendezvous 

126 My Wife's Husband 

127 Monsieur Tonson 

128 Illustrious Stranger 

VOL. XVII. 

129 Mischief-Making [Mints 

130 A Live Woman in the 

131 The Corsair 

132 Shylock 

133 Spoiled Child 

134 Evil Eye 

135 Nothing to Nurse 

136 Wanted a Widow 

VOL. xvni. 

137 Lottery Ticket 

138 Fortune's Frolic 

139 Is he Jealous? 

140 M.arried Bachelor 

141 Husband at Sight 
14i Irishman in London 

143 Animal Magnetism 

144 Highways and By-Ways 

VOL. XIX. 

145 Columbus 

146 Harlequin Bluebeard 

147 Ladies at Home 

148 Phenomenon in a Smock 

Frock 

149 Comedy and Tragedy 

150 Opposite 'Neighbors 

151 Dutchman's Ghost 

152 Persecuted Dutchman 

VOL. XX. 
163 Musard Ball 

154 Great Tragic Revival 

155 High Low Jack & Game 

156 A Gentleman from Ire- 

157 Tom and Jerry [land 

158 Villige Lawyer 

159 Captain's not A-miss 

160 Amateurs and Actors 



014 152 536 



62 A Fascinatmg inaivro- 

163 Mrs. Caudle 

164 Shakespeare's Dream 

165 Neptune's Defeat 

166 Lady of Bedchamber 

167 Take Care of Little 

168 Irish Widow [Charley 
VOL. XXII. 

169 Yankee Peddler 

170 Hiram Hireout 

171 Double-Bedded Room 

172 The Drama Defended 

173 Vermont Wool Dealer 

174 Ebenezer Venture [ter 

175 Principles from Charac-[ 255 The Shaker Lovers 

176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) 256 Ticklish Times 



244 A Blighted Being ■ 

245 Little Toddlekins 

246 A Lover by Proxy [Pail 

247 Maid with the Milking 

248 Perplexing Predicament 
VOL. XXXII. 

249 Dr. Dilworth 

250 Out to Nurse 

251 A Lucky Hit 

252 The Dowager 

253 Metamora (Burlesque) 

254 Dreams of Deli ' 



VOL. XXIII 

177 Mad Dogs 

178 Barney the Baron 

179 Swiss Swains 

180 Bachelor's Bedroom 

181 A Roland for an Oliver 

182 More Blunders than One 

183 Dumb Belle 
1^4 Lim.rick Boy 

VOL. XXIV. 

185 Nature and Philosophy 

186 Teddy the Tiler 

187 Spectre Bridegroom 

188 Matteo Falcone 

189 Jenny Lind 

190 Two Buzzards 

191 Happy Man 

192 Betsy" Baker 

VOL. XXV. 
1193 No. 1 Round the Corner 
' 194 Teddy Roe 

195 Object of Interest 

196 My Fellow Clerk 

197 Bengal Tiger 

198 Laughing Hvena 

199 The Victor Vanquished 

200 Our Wife 

VOL. XXVI. 

201 My Husband's Mirror 

202 Yankee Land 

203 Norah Creina 

204 Good for Nothing 

205 The First Night 

206 The Eton Boy 

207 Wandeiing Minstrel 

208 W.inted, 1000 Milliners 

VOL. XXVIL 

209 Poor Pilcoddy 

210 The Mummy [Glasses 

211 Don't Forget j'our Opera 

212 Love in Livery 

'J13 Anthony and Cleopatra 
•2li Trying It On 

215 Stage Struck Yankee 

216 Young Wife & Old Um- 

brella 

VOL. xxvin. 

217 Crinoline 

218 A Family Failing 

219 Adopted"Child 

220 Turned Heads 

221 A Match in the Dark 

222 Advice to Husbands 

223 Siamese Twins 

224 Sent to the Tower 

VOL. XXIX. 

225 Somebody Klse •. 
2<6 Ladies' B"attle ' 

227 *rt of Acting 

228 The Lady of the Lions 

229 The Rigl^ts of Man 

230 My Husband's Ghost 

231 Two Can Play at that 

Game 

232 Fighting by Proxy 

VOL. kXX. 

233 Unprotected Female 

234 Pet of the Petticoats 

235 Forty and Fifty [book 

236 Who Stole the Pocket- 

237 My Son Diana [sion 
2.38 Unwarrantable I n t r u - 

239 Mr. and Mrs. White 

240 A Quiet Family 



(Frenc/rs Minor Drama Continued on jdpage of Cover.) 



VOL. XXXIII. 

v57 20 Minutes with a Tiger 

258 Miralda; or, the Justice 

of Tacon 

259 A Soldier's Courtship 

260 Servants by Legacy 

261 Dying for Love 

262 Alarming Sacrifice 

263 Valet de Sham 

264 Nicholas Mckleby 

VOL. XXXlV. 

265 The Last of the Pigtails 

266 King Rene's Daughter 

267 The Grotto Nymph 

268 A Devilish Good Joke 

269 A Twice Told Tale 

270 Pas de Fascination 
■'71 Revolutionary Solilier 

272 A Man Without a Head 

VOL. XXXV. 

273 The Olio, Part 1 
974 Tne Olio. Part 2 

276 The Olio,' Part 3 [ter 

276 The Trumpeter's Daugh- 

277 Seeing Warren 

278 Green Mountain Boy 

279 That Nose 

280 Tom Noddy's Secret 

VOL. XXXVL 

281 Shocking Events 

282 A Regular Fix 

283 Dick Turpin 
984 Young Scamp 

285 Young Actress 

286 Call at No. 1—7 

287 One Touch of Nature 

288 Two B'boys 

VOL. XXXVII. 

289 All the World's a Stage 

290 Quash, or Nigger Prac- 

291 Turn Him Out \iK6 

292 Pretty Girls of Stillberg 
2i<3 Angel of the Attic 

294 CircumsfancesalterCases 

295 Katty O'Sheal 

296 A Supper in Dixie 

VOL. xxxvin. 

297 Ici on Parle Francais 

298 Who Killed Cock Robin 

299 Declaration of Jndepend- 

300 Heads or Tails [ence 

301 Obstinate Family 
.302 Mv Aunt 

,303 That Rascal Pat 

304 Don Paddy de Bazan 

VOL. XXXIX. [ture 

305 Too Much for Good Na- 

306 Cure for the Fidgets 

307 Jack's the Lad 

.3rt8 Much Ado AboutNothing 

309 Artful Dodger j 

310 Winning Hazard 

311 Day's Fishing . [Ac. 

312 Did you ever send your, ■ 

VOL. XL. 1 

313 An Irishman's Maneuver | 

314 Cousin Fannie I 

31 5 'Tis th e Darkest Hour be- 

316 Masquerade [fore Dawn 

317 Crowding the Se.ison 

318 Good Night's Rest 

319 Man with the Carpet Bap , 

320 Terrible Tinker 



5AMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d Street, New York City. 

Nev and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request. 



noo 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





014 152 536 % 



